Carousel Slat Cleaning for Residual Liquid Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Clean-In-Place (CIP) systems are ineffective in properly cleaning and drying components due to varying production and manufacturing designs, leading to reduced cleaning effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A slat cleaning apparatus with a rack frame and carousel system, featuring slat guides and carousel plates with radially extending pins, rotates slats to engage upper tracks, dislodge residual liquid at guide steps, and return slats to outer rim surfaces, utilizing gravity and track curvature for efficient liquid removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional CIP systems are used for cleaning components, then the cleaning process can be automated, but the cleaning effectiveness is reduced due to inability to adapt to varying component designs
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a rotary carousel mechanism that dynamically positions slats at different angles and locations during the cleaning cycle. The slats rotate through various positions including engagement with cleaning jets, drainage areas, and drying zones, allowing the same cleaning system to effectively handle different slat designs and configurations that vary in shape, size, and contamination patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning apparatus is designed as a multi-functional system that combines washing, rinsing, sanitizing, and drying operations within a single integrated carousel structure. The same apparatus can accommodate slats of various designs by adjusting the carousel position and utilizing different functional zones around the rotation path, making it universally applicable to different component designs
2Reliability
If slats are cleaned using conventional methods, then the process is simple, but residual liquid remains on slats after cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes a curved, circular carousel path with strategically positioned drainage channels and drying zones. As slats rotate along the curved path, gravity and the curved geometry work together to drain liquid from slat surfaces. The circular motion continues slats through designated drying areas where residual liquid is removed through controlled drainage and air circulation, achieving thorough drying without complex additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary carousel implements periodic action by repeatedly cycling slats through wet cleaning zones, drainage transitions, and drying areas. Each rotation brings slats into contact with cleaning jets, then progressively moves them through drainage channels and drying zones in a repeating sequence, ensuring thorough liquid removal through multiple periodic passes rather than a single complex operation
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
Effectively removes residual liquid from slats by breaking surface tension, ensuring thorough cleaning and drying, adaptable to various component shapes and sizes.
Implementation Method 1
continuing rotation of the carousel allowing each slat to progressively fall off the upper tracks at guide steps striking lower tracks extending along the slat guides
Implementation Method 2
continuing rotation of the carousel to move the slats along the lower tracks causing them to be pushed back towards the outer rim surface by curvature of the lower tracks
Data Source
AI summary
A slat cleaning apparatus is provided that includes a rack frame having a support base, a first slat guide having a first upper track, a first lower track, and a first guide step, and a second slat guide having a second upper track, a second lower track, and a second guide step, wherein the first slat guide and the second slat guide are spaced apart and secured to the support base. The slat cleaning apparatus further includes a rack carousel having a plurality of carousel plates aligned and secured together about a common axis extending through a carousel drive shaft, wherein the carousel drive shaft is coupled to the support base to allow the carousel to rotate about the common axis relative to the support base, a plurality of first and second slat pins extending radially outward from respective first and second rim surfaces of the carousel.