Fruit Pressing Drum with Self-Cleaning Drainage Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fruit pressing machines require frequent halts for manual cleaning of drainage channels, leading to reduced efficiency and productivity due to blockages from solid residues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of free movable bodies within the drainage channels that rotate with the drum, preventing residue adhesion and removal through controlled movement, allowing for automatic and continuous cleaning without machine shutdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning methods are used to remove solid residues from drainage channels, then the drainage area is maintained, but the machine must be halted resulting in loss of time and reduced productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage channel grid performs self-cleaning through the natural pressing operation. The pressed product itself acts as the cleaning medium, automatically removing solid residues from the grid apertures during normal operation without requiring external intervention or machine shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static cleaning (manual intervention requiring machine halt) to dynamic cleaning (continuous automatic cleaning during operation). The pressed product flows dynamically through the grid, continuously clearing residues as the machine operates.
2Reliability
If high pressure water spray is used to clean the drainage channels, then solid residues are removed from the grid apertures, but the machine must be halted and manual intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage grid cleans itself using the pressed product as the cleaning agent. The natural flow of pressed material through the grid during operation automatically removes solid residues, eliminating the need for external cleaning systems or manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressed product, under pressure from the pressing operation, flows through the grid apertures and uses this hydraulic force to flush and clear solid residues from the grid surfaces and channels.
3Reliability
If the drum is rotated with detergent to clean the drainage channels, then thorough cleaning is achieved, but the machine must be halted and the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning action occurs continuously during the normal pressing operation rather than requiring separate cleaning cycles. The pressed product continuously flows through the grid, maintaining cleanliness throughout the operational period without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational byproduct (pressed product) to perform the cleaning function, eliminating the need for external detergents, separate cleaning cycles, or additional time investment.
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
Maintains clean drainage channels and grids without halting the machine, enhancing operational efficiency and productivity by ensuring continuous operation and effective residue removal.
Implementation Method 1
when these bodies move, they impact and rub the surfaces defining the sieve, to hence prevent deposition of solid residues on the surfaces, while at the same time removing any residues which have managed to adhere to the sieve surfaces
Implementation Method 2
when these bodies move, they impact and rub the surfaces defining the sieve
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An improved machine (2) for pressing fruit or similar products, comprising: - a cylindrical drum (4) rotating about a central shaft (6), - a plurality of annular-shaped grids (12) applied to the interior of the drum (4) and spaced therefrom such as to define, with the inner surface (10) thereof, drainage channels (18) each provided with at least one aperture (22) communicating with a manifold (24) connected to the environment external to the machine, - a membrane (8) wrapped about said central shaft (6) and intended to be selectively inflated in order to press the product against the inner surface (10) of the drum (4) and against said grids (12) such that the liquid obtained by pressing can be collected inside said drainage channels (18), characterised in that the drainage channels (18) are provided in their interior with a plurality of free bodies (20) intended to be put into movement by the rotation of the machine drum (4), there being provided, to correspond with each aperture (22) of the drainage channels (18), an element (26) which surrounds said aperture (22) and is positioned at a distance (30) from the wall standing in front of the drainage channel (18) which is less than the minimum dimension of said bodies (20).