Conveyor Belt Air Knife Cleaning for Sensitive Workpieces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning methods, such as brushes, are inadequate for cleaning conveyor belts and sensitive workpieces like bipolar plates, as they can spread oil residue and cause mechanical stress, while existing air-based solutions are insufficient for thorough conveyor belt cleaning.
Innovation Solution
An air knife with a focused air jet is used to dislodge contaminants, combined with a cleaning chamber and vacuum system to ensure gentle and effective removal without mechanical stress, utilizing a compressed air source and filter to separate contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If brushes are used to clean conveyor belts, then cleaning action is provided, but mechanical stress is applied to sensitive surfaces causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical brush cleaning system with a pneumatic air knife system that uses high-velocity air jets to dislodge and remove contaminants. This substitution eliminates direct mechanical contact between the cleaning device and the conveyor belt surface, thereby preventing mechanical stress and damage to sensitive surfaces while maintaining effective cleaning capability through aerodynamic forces
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic principles by using compressed air to generate high-velocity jets that impact contaminants on the conveyor belt surface. The air knife system utilizes pneumatic pressure to create a focused air stream that effectively removes particles and contamination without requiring mechanical contact, thus protecting the conveyor belt's sensitive surface structure
2Object-affected harmful factors
If air-based cleaning is used, then mechanical stress is avoided, but cleaning thoroughness is insufficient for conveyor belts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the air flow into a focused, high-velocity jet at a specific location (the air knife outlet) rather than using diffuse air flow. This localized concentration of pneumatic energy creates sufficient cleaning power to thoroughly remove contaminants from the conveyor belt surface while maintaining the benefit of non-contact cleaning
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters of the air flow by increasing its velocity and pressure through the air knife design, transforming ordinary compressed air into a high-energy jet capable of effective contaminant removal. By adjusting parameters such as air pressure, flow rate, and jet geometry, the system achieves thorough cleaning performance while avoiding mechanical stress
3Ease of operation
If conventional cleaning methods are used, then cleaning action is provided, but contaminants are spread rather than removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical brushing action with pneumatic air jet action, which dislodges contaminants through aerodynamic forces rather than mechanical scraping. This substitution prevents the spreading and redistribution of contaminants that occurs with brushes, as the air stream directs contaminants away from the surface in a controlled manner toward collection points
Solution Approach 2:
The invention effectively extracts contaminants from the conveyor belt surface using the air knife's focused jet, which lifts and removes particles directly rather than spreading them. The system extracts contamination by applying localized pneumatic force that separates contaminants from the surface and transports them away, achieving clean removal without redistribution
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
The air knife effectively removes contaminants from conveyor belts and workpieces without causing damage, ensuring a contactless and efficient cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
an air knife with a focused air jet is used to dislodge contaminants
Implementation Method 2
at least one negative pressure device provides the cleaning airflow
Implementation Method 3
the suction force generated by the vacuum device is just sufficient for the workpiece to remain in the upper run of the conveyor belt
Implementation Method 4
utilizing a compressed air source and filter to separate contaminants
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for cleaning at least one conveyor belt and/or workpieces (4) transported by means of the conveyor belt (1), wherein the conveyor belt (1) is driven around a holding device (2), wherein at least one vacuum device (7) is provided for generating a cleaning air flow in a cleaning chamber (8), and wherein the conveyor belt (1) optionally passes through the cleaning chamber (8) with the workpieces (4) located on or attached to it, characterized in that an air blade (9) is additionally provided which acts on the conveyor belt (1) and/or the workpiece (4) and which loosens contaminants which are in turn carried away by the cleaning air flow.