Container Cleaning Machine Chain Load Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Container cleaning machines experience wear and tear on their transport chains due to exposure to aggressive cleaning media and high temperatures, leading to inefficiencies and defects that are difficult to detect, resulting in reduced functionality and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A container cleaning machine equipped with a load measuring device that feeds output signals to an evaluation device, which records and analyzes the load profile of individual chain links to detect deviations from standard behavior, allowing for the identification and monitoring of defective chain links, and automatically directs them to a maintenance area for replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transport chain operates continuously in aggressive cleaning media and high temperatures, then the cleaning function is maintained, but wear and tear on the transport chain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load measuring device continuously monitors the load on individual chain links before failure occurs. By detecting deviations from the mean load value or abnormal load profiles during the engagement phase, the system enables preventive maintenance before the transport chain actually fails, extending its service life while maintaining reliable cleaning function
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation device provides continuous feedback about the load status of chain links to the control system. This feedback loop allows real-time monitoring and early detection of defective chain links, enabling timely maintenance decisions that prevent complete chain failure and extend operational duration
2Productivity
If the transport chain wears out over time, then continuous operation is maintained, but detection of defects becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual inspection methods with an automated electronic monitoring system. The load measuring device and evaluation device use electrical/electronic measurements to detect mechanical defects in chain links, making defect detection straightforward even during continuous operation and eliminating the need for manual inspection
Solution Approach 2:
The transport chain essentially monitors itself through the load measuring device that continuously tracks the load on each chain link. The system automatically detects when a chain link becomes defective by comparing its load profile against the mean behavior of all chain links, enabling self-diagnosis without external intervention
3Reliability
If individual chain links are monitored for load deviations, then defective links can be detected early, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load measuring device serves multiple functions: it measures the load on individual chain links, compares measurements against mean values, detects deviations indicating defects, and enables early maintenance warnings. This multi-functionality achieves reliable defect detection without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation device acts as an intermediary between the load measuring device and the control system. It processes the raw load measurements, performs comparisons with mean values, and generates defect detections, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high reliability
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a container-cleaning machine, comprising at least one circulating endless transport chain (10), which bears container receptacles spaced apart from one another, and at least one cleaning chamber, through which the transport chain (10) with the container receptacles passes, in which cleaning chamber at least one application device for applying a cleaning medium to the containers retained in the container receptacles is arranged, which transport chain (10) has a drive connection to at least one drive motor by means of gear (12). According to the invention, the container-cleaning machine has a load-measuring device for the drive motor, the output signals of which load-measuring device are fed to an evaluation device. The evaluation device is designed to capture the load curve of the drive motor at least during one chain pass, which load curve is measured by means of the load-measuring device, and to resolve said load curve to the load value of a single chain link (14). The evaluation device is also designed to detect a chain link (14) as defective if the load behavior thereof deviates from standard behavior.