Automatic Height Adjusting Manifold for Parts Washer Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fixed air manifolds in parts washers are ineffective for drying small parts due to a fixed height setting, leading to compromised performance and requiring manual adjustments that result in significant downtime.
Innovation Solution
An automatic height adjusting manifold system that uses a sizing device to measure workpiece height and communicate this data to a programmable logic controller, allowing the blowoff assembly to adjust automatically, including a string potentiometer for precise positioning and a height safety mechanism to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed position manifold is used to accommodate the largest parts, then large parts can pass through the machine, but the effectiveness of drying small parts is greatly compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold is transformed from a fixed static structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The patent implements a manually adjustable manifold system where the manifold can be repositioned vertically along the conveyor path. This allows the manifold to adapt its height position according to the size of parts being processed, whether large parts requiring higher positioning or small parts requiring lower positioning for effective drying.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manually adjustable air manifolds are used to improve adaptability, then different part sizes can be accommodated, but considerable downtime is associated with making manual adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of part dimensions using sensors before the part reaches the manifold. The control system processes this measurement data in advance and pre-positions the manifold to the appropriate height. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual measurement and adjustment during part processing, thereby reducing adjustment downtime while maintaining adaptability.
3Productivity
If the manifold is positioned lower for small parts, then drying effectiveness improves, but large parts cannot pass through the machine
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold positioning system is made dynamic and adjustable. The patent employs a control system that receives dimensional data from sensors and automatically adjusts the manifold's vertical position. When small parts are detected, the manifold lowers to improve drying effectiveness; when large parts are detected, the manifold raises to accommodate their passage. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between optimizing for small parts and accommodating large parts.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick and precise adjustment of the air knife and spray nozzles without manual intervention, reducing downtime and extending machine components' lifespan by ensuring no workpiece can exceed the air knife's height, thus enhancing the drying efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
A string potentiometer can be used for an air knife position feedback to the programmable logic controller (PLC)
Implementation Method 2
A proximity switch can sense when the plate is pivotally moved
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an automatic height adjusting manifold, and in particular to a manifold that is adjustable to be located adjacent to a workpiece. A conveyor can have an overhead structure that supports a concealer such as a canopy or removable doors. A sizing device measures the height of a workpiece. The sizing device is outside of the work areas of the machine. A height safety is provided to make sure that no workpieces taller than the measured piece enter the machine. There are liquid bays and blowoff bays within the machine. The blowoff bay has an air knife or other manifold device. A height system is provided and is adjustable to correlate with the measured height at the sizing device. A string potentiometer can be used for an air knife position feedback to the programmable logic controller (PLC).