Movable Frame for Uniform Skin Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing skin drying frames fail to effectively extend and uniformly dry animal skins, leading to suboptimal drying efficiency and product quality.

Innovation Solution

A frame designed with movable sections that allow for vertical and horizontal expansion, utilizing a combination of metal and net materials with specific hole patterns for air circulation and gripper attachment, enabling the skin to be stretched and dried more efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a fixed rigid frame is used for drying skins, then the structure is simple and stable, but the skin cannot be effectively extended in multiple directions leading to non-uniform drying

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin extension uniformityVSAvoidframe structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is divided into multiple independent sections (first section, second section, third section, fourth section) that can move relative to each other along guided paths. This segmentation allows each section to contribute to extending the skin in different directions, achieving uniform extension while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure where sections can move relative to each other. The movable sections with guided paths enable the frame to adapt its shape during the drying process, progressively extending the skin uniformly in multiple directions while controlling the overall structural complexity through defined motion constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If manual skin extension is performed on a simple frame, then the operation is easy, but the skin extension is insufficient and drying efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidframe operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The articulated frame with movable sections automatically performs the extension function through controlled movement of sections along guided paths. This dynamic structure replaces manual extension operations, significantly improving drying efficiency by achieving greater and more uniform skin extension while maintaining ease of operation through automated mechanical motion rather than complex manual manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The frame extends the skin not only in the vertical dimension through section movement but also in horizontal dimensions through the articulated configuration of multiple sections. This multi-dimensional extension capability increases drying efficiency by maximizing skin surface area exposure while keeping the operation simple through gravity-assisted and guided mechanical motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If the frame uses solid metal material for strength, then the structural strength is high, but air circulation through the skin is restricted reducing drying efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidframe strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The frame sections are constructed with a porous structure containing multiple holes distributed throughout the metal material. This porous design allows hot air to circulate through the skin during the drying process, significantly improving drying efficiency. The structural strength is maintained through the distributed hole pattern and the inherent strength of the metal material, achieving a balance between permeability and mechanical integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

4Manufacturing precision

If the frame sections are made movable to improve skin extension, then the skin extension capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin extension uniformityVSAvoidframe structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is divided into discrete movable sections connected through defined joints with guided paths. This segmentation allows each section to move independently along predetermined trajectories, achieving uniform skin extension while controlling complexity through modular design. The guided paths constrain the motion to specific degrees of freedom, preventing excessive complexity while maintaining extension precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame incorporates controlled dynamic elements where sections move relative to each other along guided paths rather than completely free movement. This approach provides the necessary skin extension capability while managing device complexity through constrained motion, where the guided paths define the degrees of freedom and prevent uncontrolled complexity in the mechanical system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The frame achieves improved skin extension, uniform thickness, and efficient drying, resulting in a higher-quality product with greater commercial value.

Implementation Method 1

The frame comprises a plurality of sections movable with respect to each other along guided paths, in a manner so as to extend and tighten a skin applied on the frame, along (at least) two directions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

passing such frames in a tunnel or in a chamber in which hot air circulates at controlled temperature and humidity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

hot air circulates at controlled temperature and humidity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

the skins, possibly fixed as stated above, are inserted in a chamber in which a depression is created to facilitate the evaporation of the water and the consequent suction of the produced vapor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 5

facilitate the evaporation of the water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 6

Another type of drying occurs by means of microwaves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave Radiation: Microwave Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3425067B1Frame for drying skins
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 AGOSTINI MARCO
  • EP3425067B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3425067B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP3425067B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

Frame (1, 100, 200) for the attachment of animal skins for a drying plant or a chamber for the skins themselves, wherein the frame (1, 100, 200) comprises a perimeter framework (10, 110, 210), at least one panel (2, 2a, 2b, 102, 102a, 102b, 202), a portion that is upper during use (17, 117) and a portion that is lower during use (18, 118), wherein the upper portion (17, 117) comprises at least one first panel (2a, 102, 102a, 202) and/or the lower portion (18, 118) comprises at least one second panel (2b, 102, 102b, 202), wherein the at least one first panel (2a, 102, 102a, 202) is separable and/or moveable away from the portion that is lower during use (18, 118) and/or from the at least one second panel (2b, 102, 102b, 202) along a first direction or direction that is vertical during use for a distance (D), wherein the frame (1) comprises movement means (30, 300) adapted to move the at least one panel (2, 2a, 2b, 102, 102a, 102b, 202) along a second direction or direction that is longitudinal or horizontal during use of the frame (1, 100, 200) for a displacement (S), so as to widen the extension of the skin during use fixed on the frame (1, 100, 200) along the first direction and along the second direction in the passage for the frame (1, 100, 200) from a first operating position to a second operating position.