Detachable Pipe Structure for Food Processing Machine Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning devices for machines in the food processing industry, particularly those handling poultry or fish, require machine downtime for effective cleaning, leading to inefficiencies and contamination of permanent pipe structures, which increases cleaning time and germ formation.
Innovation Solution
A detachable pipe structure connected to a hose that can be moved between operating and cleaning modes, allowing for quick and effective cleaning without contaminating the pipe structure, and featuring modular design for adaptability to different machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a permanent pipe structure is installed inside the machine for cleaning, then cleaning can be performed, but the pipe structure becomes contaminated during machine operation, increasing cleaning time and germ formation
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe structure is extracted from the machine interior and made movable between the machine and an external position. During operation, the pipe structure is positioned outside the machine to avoid contamination. During cleaning, it is moved inside to perform cleaning functions, then removed again, preventing permanent contamination accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe structure is designed to be dynamically movable between different positions (inside/outside the machine) rather than being permanently fixed. This dynamic positioning allows the system to adapt to different operational modes (operation vs. cleaning) and prevents the pipe structure from being continuously exposed to contamination.
2Reliability
If the machine is stopped for cleaning, then effective cleaning can be performed, but machine downtime increases, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is segmented into a separate, movable pipe structure that can be independently positioned and removed. This allows the cleaning function to be separated from the machine's operational components, enabling faster setup and teardown during cleaning cycles, thereby reducing overall downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe structure is pre-positioned outside the machine during operation, ready for rapid deployment when cleaning is needed. This preliminary positioning avoids the need to install or configure cleaning components during the cleaning process itself, reducing transition time between operational and cleaning modes.
3Ease of operation
If the pipe structure remains in the machine during operation, then cleaning access is maintained, but contamination accumulation and germ formation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe structure is extracted from the machine interior during operational modes and positioned externally. This physical separation removes the cleaning access pathway from the contaminated environment, preventing contamination accumulation on the pipe structure while maintaining the ability to quickly access the machine for cleaning when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe structure periodically moves between positioned (outside during operation) and unpositioned (inside during cleaning) states. This periodic action ensures that the pipe structure is only exposed to the contaminated environment during brief cleaning intervals, minimizing contamination accumulation while maintaining cleaning capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Cleaning device (10) and method for cleaning machines (20) for handling and processing fish and/or poultry, the cleaning device comprising a tube element (11) with a tube holder (12) and a tube (13) that can be unrolled from it and rolled up on it, wherein a supply end of the tube (13) is formed and designed for connecting to a water supply system and the opposite connection end (14) of the tube (13) is designed for connecting to a pipe construction (15), which has at least one cleaning nozzle (16), and the connection end (14) of the tube (13) can be moved from a waiting position, in which the connection end (14) of the tube (13) is uncoupled from the machine to be cleaned, into an operating position, in which the connection end (14) of the tube (13) is connected to the machine to be cleaned, and back, wherein the pipe construction (15) forms part of the cleaning device in such a way that the pipe construction is connected to the connection end (14) of the tube (13) both in the operating mode and in the cleaning mode of the machine.