Hide Drying Control Using Weight Sensors for Moisture Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drying technologies in the tanning industry lack reliable methods to monitor moisture content during the final drying cycle of hides, leading to adjustments of drying parameters based on operator experience and historical drying curves, without precise control over moisture reduction and surface minimization.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using weight sensors and surface measurement sensors to continuously monitor the moisture and surface changes of hides, transmitting data to a control unit that adjusts air temperature, humidity, air flow speed, and drying time in real-time to optimize the drying process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If drying parameters are adjusted based on operator experience and historical drying curves, then the drying process can be completed within a fixed time frame, but the moisture content control precision and surface quality are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where moisture sensors continuously monitor the moisture content of hides during the drying process. The control unit receives real-time moisture data and automatically adjusts drying parameters (temperature, humidity, air flow) to maintain the desired moisture reduction rate, replacing operator experience-based adjustments with automated closed-loop control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/operator-based adjustment system with an automated control system that uses electronic sensors and a control unit. The control unit processes moisture sensor data and automatically modifies drying parameters, substituting human decision-making with an automated electromechanical system that provides more precise and consistent control.
2Productivity
If the drying cycle duration is fixed based on production needs, then production efficiency is maintained, but the ability to optimize moisture reduction and surface preservation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment of drying parameters within the fixed drying cycle timeframe. The control unit continuously monitors moisture content and adjusts temperature, humidity, and air flow speed in real-time based on actual drying progress. This allows the system to optimize moisture reduction and surface preservation dynamically while maintaining the overall fixed cycle duration required for production efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If weight sensors and surface measurement sensors are added to continuously monitor moisture and surface changes, then drying process control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional control unit that integrates moisture sensor data processing, surface quality monitoring, and automated adjustment of multiple drying parameters (temperature, humidity, air flow). This single control unit performs multiple functions, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems for each measurement and control task, thereby mitigating the increase in overall system complexity.
4Reliability
If real-time data from sensors is used to automatically adjust drying parameters, then drying process optimization is enhanced, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback control system where sensors continuously measure moisture content and surface changes, the control unit processes this real-time data, and automatically adjusts drying parameters accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable optimization by continuously comparing actual drying progress with target parameters and making corrective adjustments, replacing unreliable experience-based control with systematic automated feedback control.
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
Enables precise control of the drying process, ensuring optimal moisture reduction and surface preservation, improving efficiency and consistency of hide drying by adjusting parameters based on real-time data, thereby enhancing the quality and yield of the final product.
Implementation Method 1
by means of weight sensors associated with one or more of said hide support means, the weight of said hides is detected substantially continuously
Implementation Method 2
the tanned hide resulting from these treatments has an extremely high level of moisture, in excess of 100%, and must therefore be subjected to controlled drying processes
Implementation Method 3
the speed of an air flow on the surface of the hide in said drying environment
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A method for controlling the drying process of hides (P) in the tanning industry involving placing hides to be dried, the moisture content of which is known, in a drying environment (10), said hides (P) are associated with support means (21) equipped with weight sensors (22) for continuously recording the weight of the hides (P) during the drying process and transmitting the resulting figures to a control unit (15) which uses these values to calculate the instantaneous moisture content of the hides (P) during the process and, based on this data, adjusts the working parameters of the drying environment (10) to follow as closely as possible a desired trend in the reduction of the moisture content of the hides (P). The invention is also directed to a drying plant for hides (P), provided with a drying environment (10), support means (21) equipped with a control unit (15) and with weight sensors (22) for continuously recording the weight of the hides (P) during the drying process and transmitting the resulting figures to said control unit (15) and thereby allowing to implement the method.