Drying Pallet for Multi-Part Ceramic Moulds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for drying multi-part plaster molds, such as those used for sanitary ceramic articles, face inefficiencies due to uncontrolled outer surface drying, leading to longer drying times and higher energy consumption, as moisture sinks from top to bottom, leaving the lower parts of the object damp for longer.
Innovation Solution
A pallet with a cavity connected to a hot air source, featuring holes on its base for targeted outer surface drying and a line connecting to the pouring opening, allowing thermal energy to be supplied from below, utilizing the 'frying pan' principle to eliminate gravitational drying issues and enhance thermal buoyancy, with optional covers and docking elements for flexible temperature control and energy savings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If hot air is introduced through the pouring opening to dry the mold cavity from the inner surface, then drying time is reduced, but uncontrolled outer surface drying occurs leading to moisture accumulation on the underside
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of introducing hot air from above or the pouring opening, the invention inverts the approach by providing hot air supply openings in the base of the pallet, allowing thermal energy to be supplied from below. This reverses the conventional drying direction and eliminates the gravitational drying effect that causes moisture accumulation on the underside.
Solution Approach 2:
The pallet base is designed with multiple holes distributed evenly in a grid pattern, creating localized hot air supply points. This local quality approach ensures uniform heat distribution across the entire bottom surface of the object, achieving controlled and even drying from bottom to top.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional hot air drying is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but drying time increases due to uncontrolled moisture migration
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous and controlled hot air flow through the pallet base holes throughout the drying process. This continuous action ensures that thermal energy is constantly supplied to the bottom surface, accelerating moisture evaporation and removal without energy waste, thereby reducing both drying time and energy consumption simultaneously.
3Manufacturing precision
If hot air is supplied through the pallet base, then controlled bottom-to-top drying is achieved, but system complexity increases with docking elements and closure elements
Solution Approach 1:
The closure elements are designed to automatically open when a pallet is placed on the docking element and close when the pallet is removed. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual operation or complex control systems, maintaining simple system structure while ensuring controlled hot air flow only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to the presence or absence of pallets through the automatic opening and closing of closure elements. This dynamic behavior allows the system to transition between different operational states (hot air flow active/inactive) without requiring complex mechanical structures or additional control components.
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 approach significantly reduces drying times and energy requirements by ensuring even drying from bottom to top, while minimizing energy losses through efficient air flow management and flexible temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
the flow of warm air emerging from the holes in the base of the pallet is supported by the principle of thermal buoyancy
Implementation Method 2
thermal energy is supplied to the object to be dried from below
Data Source
AI summary
A system for drying at least one multi-part mold (26) is described. The mold (26) has a cavity (28) for an object, such as a sanitary ceramic item. The cavity (28) has a pouring opening (30) for a casting material, such as a ceramic slip, and at least one vent opening (32). The mold (26) to be dried is dried on its outer surface (36) with warm air and on the inner surface (34) of the cavity (28) by introducing warm air through the pouring opening (30). Optimal drying of the mold (26) is achieved by providing a pallet (10) for the mold (26) to be dried, which has at least one cavity (12) that can be connected to a warm air source.The pallet (10) is provided with holes (20) on its base (18), which is intended for the mold (26) to be dried, for the targeted application of water to the outer surface (36) of the mold (26). The pallet (10) also has a flexible line (24) that can be connected to the pouring opening (30).