Continuous Leaf Drying Apparatus with Centrifugal Baskets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drying apparatuses for leaf products are inefficient due to batch operation modes, leading to high maintenance costs and potential product damage, and previous solutions with continuous loading systems create product heaps, prolonging the process.
Innovation Solution
A drying apparatus with a conveyor belt system that continuously supplies products to centrifugation baskets rotating on parallel chains, allowing for continuous drying and efficient discharge, featuring a hopper for product collection and an elevator conveyor belt for transferring dried products, along with mechanisms for maintaining tension and air jets for cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If batch operation mode is used for drying leaf products, then product damage is reduced, but productivity is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous operation by having multiple centrifugal baskets arranged in sequence on the conveyor belt, allowing the drying process to proceed without interruption. While one basket is being discharged, another is already undergoing centrifugal drying, ensuring continuous processing and eliminating the stop-start nature of batch operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying system is divided into multiple independent centrifugal baskets that can operate simultaneously at different stages of the drying process. Each basket functions as an independent drying unit, allowing the system to maintain continuous operation while treating individual portions of product separately, thus preventing damage through controlled, distributed processing.
2Productivity
If continuous loading system is used, then productivity is increased, but product heaps are created
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous conveyor belt system distributes product into discrete portions within individual centrifugal baskets rather than creating large heaps. Each basket receives a controlled amount of product and processes it separately, maintaining uniform distribution and preventing the formation of unstable product heaps while preserving continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts product distribution by controlling the timing and placement of product into each moving basket. The conveyor belt continuously moves baskets through the drying zone, and product is introduced at optimal points to ensure even distribution within each basket, preventing heap formation while maintaining continuous flow.
3Productivity
If heat exchange tunnel systems are used for huge amounts of product, then productivity is increased, but maintenance costs increase and product is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex thermal heat exchange tunnel systems with a mechanical centrifugal drying system. Instead of using elaborate heating and air circulation infrastructure to evaporate moisture, the invention uses centrifugal force generated by rotating baskets to mechanically separate and eject water from leaf products, dramatically simplifying the overall system while maintaining high processing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and isolates the essential drying function from the complex heat exchange tunnel system. By using centrifugal baskets that directly spin and eject water, the system removes the need for extensive heating elements, air circulation fans, and thermal insulation infrastructure, retaining only the core drying capability in a simplified form.
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 continuous drying of delicate leaf products, increasing processing rate and efficiency by preventing product heaps and reducing operational costs, while maintaining product integrity.
Implementation Method 1
product contained within said baskets is pushed against the lateral holed surfaces of the baskets and is substantially dried by the centrifugal force effect caused by said rotation
Implementation Method 2
said apparatus comprises water jets for cleaning said centrifugation baskets, preferably while they are upturned, and thus during the return path of the conveyor on which they are fixed
Implementation Method 3
said apparatus comprises a fan creating one or more air jets for drying and cleaning said centrifugation baskets, preferably when they are upturned
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an Apparatus (1) for drying leaf products substantially comprised of a product supply or loading section, of a product centrifugation and drying section (5) and of a dried product discharging section, operatively serially provided each other, wherein the loading section comprises a conveyor belt (2) for continuously supplying the entering product P, operated by a motor (25) and a hopper (4), normally closed at the bottom for collecting the product supplied by the conveyor belt (2) and then discharging the collected product on the drying section, the centrifugation and drying section (5), downward the collection hopper (4) of the supply section comprises a continuous conveyor with two parallel chains (7) on which a plurality of centrifugation baskets (6) is mounted, each one rotating about its own axis, said transport chains (7) being provided along a closed loop path defining an onward run and a return run, said transport chains (7) being moved by toothed wheels (12) actuated by a motor (13), as well as by means (10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19) for conferring to said centrifugation baskets (6) a fast rotary motion about their own axis, the discharge section, receiving the dried product from the centrifugation section, and transferring the same at the exit, comprises an elevator conveyor belt (3) operated by a motor (3').