Device and method for cleaning a component arranged in a process air circuit of a dryer, and a dryer comprising such a device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices for components in dryer process air circuits face challenges in reliably determining the filling level of rinsing liquid in collection containers, leading to potential overflow and contamination of sensors, which can impair the cleaning process and reduce the efficiency and reliability of dryer operations.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a depot for receiving rinsing liquid and a sensor chamber outside the depot, connected via an opening system, where the sensor chamber is filled before the depot, ensuring reliable level detection and preventing sensor contamination by maintaining a higher liquid level in the sensor chamber than in the depot, allowing for effective rinsing liquid management and efficient cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the level sensor is placed directly in the depot to detect fill level, then the measurement is direct and simple, but the sensor becomes contaminated by fluff and dirt in the rinsing liquid, impairing its function
Solution Approach 1:
The depot is divided into two separate chambers: a sensor chamber that receives clean rinsing liquid for level detection, and a collection chamber that collects dirty rinsing liquid with fluff. This segmentation allows the sensor to remain uncontaminated while still accurately detecting the fill level in the collection chamber through hydraulic communication via the opening system.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening system acts as an intermediary between the sensor chamber and collection chamber. It allows hydraulic communication so that liquid level changes in the collection chamber are transmitted to the sensor chamber, enabling indirect level detection without direct sensor contact with contaminated liquid.
2Productivity
If the sensor chamber is filled quickly to ensure reliable level detection, then the cleaning process can start promptly, but the depot may overflow before the sensor chamber is filled
Solution Approach 1:
The opening system is pre-configured with an upper limit opening and a lower limit opening at specific heights. These pre-set openings automatically control the filling process: the upper limit opening prevents overfilling by allowing liquid to escape when the sensor chamber reaches its maximum level, while the lower limit opening ensures the sensor chamber fills sufficiently for reliable detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic communication through the opening system provides automatic feedback control. When the rinsing liquid level in the collection chamber rises, it transfers to the sensor chamber through the lower limit opening. When the sensor chamber reaches the upper limit opening level, the feedback mechanism prevents further filling, thus avoiding depot overflow while ensuring the sensor chamber is adequately filled for detection.
3Ease of operation
If the opening system is positioned close to the depot floor to enable hydraulic communication, then the sensor chamber fills easily, but the sensor may be exposed to contaminated liquid from the depot
Solution Approach 1:
The opening system is positioned at a specific height above the depot floor, creating a local quality distinction. The lower limit opening is positioned to enable hydraulic communication when the depot has sufficient liquid, while the upper limit opening is positioned to prevent sensor chamber overfilling. This localized positioning ensures the sensor chamber fills adequately without exposing the sensor to contaminated liquid from the collection chamber.
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
This solution ensures reliable determination of the filling level in the depot, preventing overflow and contamination, thereby enhancing the cleaning effectiveness and reducing maintenance costs by avoiding sensor clogging and unnecessary cleaning measures.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor chamber is arranged outside the depot and in hydraulic communication with it via an opening system
Implementation Method 2
the supply line system and the opening system are designed in such a way that a larger volume of the rinsing liquid can flow into the sensor chamber via the first inlet than can flow out of the sensor chamber through the opening system into the depot
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device 1 and a method for cleaning a component 2 arranged in a process air circuit of a dryer, using a rinsing liquid, said cleaning device 1 having a receptacle 3 for receiving the rinsing liquid after it has made contact with the component 2 to be cleaned, and a sensor chamber 5 in which a filling level sensor 4 is arranged, said sensor chamber 5 being arranged outside of the receptacle 3 so as to be in hydraulic communication with same via an opening system 6. A supply line system 7 of said cleaning device 1 comprises a first supply line 8 running directly to the sensor chamber 5, and a second supply line 9 running to the component 2 to be cleaned, said supply line system 7 and opening system 6 being designed such that per unit of time, a greater volume of the rinsing liquid can flow into the sensor chamber 5 via the first supply line 8 than can flow out of the sensor chamber 5 into the receptacle 3 through the opening system 6, and said cleaning device 1 being designed such that, during filling, the filling level of the rinsing liquid in the sensor chamber 5 reaches at least a height which corresponds to the upper limit of the opening system 6 before the filling level of the rinsing liquid in the receptacle 3 has reached a height that corresponds to the lower limit of the opening system 6. The invention also relates to a preferred dryer which comprises such a cleaning device 1.