Pallet Wiping Device Reciprocating Absorbent Arm

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for drying resin pallets, such as centrifugal spinning and hot air blowing, are costly and inefficient, particularly in ensuring the interior of fork insertion holes is fully dried, leading to high energy consumption and maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A pallet wiping device with a water-absorbing portion supported by an arm that reciprocates along the direction of the fork insertion hole, removing water without heat, using a water-absorbent material like cloth with absorbent pile to effectively dry the interior surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If centrifugal spinning is used to remove water from pallets, then water removal efficiency is improved, but energy consumption and maintenance cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater removal efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the centrifugal spinning mechanical system with a wiping mechanism that uses a water-absorbent material to remove water from pallets. This substitution eliminates the need for high-speed rotation and power sources, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective water removal capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a water-absorbent wiping material that can be easily replaced, rather than investing in expensive centrifugal equipment with high maintenance costs. The simple wiping mechanism uses consumable absorbent materials that are cheaper and easier to replace than maintaining complex spinning machinery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Speed

If centrifugal spinning is used to dry pallets, then water removal speed is improved, but device damage and maintenance cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater removal speedVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the high-speed centrifugal spinning system with a low-speed wiping mechanism. The water-absorbent material physically wipes and absorbs water from pallet surfaces without requiring rapid rotation, thereby eliminating mechanical stress and damage to equipment while maintaining effective water removal speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If hot air is used to dry the interior of fork insertion holes, then drying completeness is improved, but running cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying completenessVSAvoidrunning cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the hot air drying system with a direct contact wiping mechanism using water-absorbent material. The wiping action physically removes and absorbs water from the interior of fork insertion holes through capillary action and adhesion, achieving complete drying without the need for energy-intensive heating systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If heated wash water is used to promote drying, then drying efficiency is improved, but initial cost and running cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidinitial cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the heated wash water system with a mechanical wiping mechanism using water-absorbent material. This substitution eliminates the need for heaters, circulators, and filters, significantly reducing both initial investment and running costs while maintaining effective drying efficiency through direct physical water removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution reliably dries pallets at a lower cost by using a water-absorbing mechanism that reduces energy consumption and maintenance, ensuring thorough drying of fork insertion holes without the need for heat.

Implementation Method 1

The water-absorbing portion is formed of a water-absorbent material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

a water-absorbing portion (11) supported by the arm (12), wherein the water-absorbing portion (11) reciprocates along the direction in which the fork insertion hole (P4) extends while coming into contact with the inner wall surface of the fork insertion hole (P4), thereby removing water left in the fork insertion hole (P4) of the pallet (P) after washing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9421587B2Pallet wiping device, pallet cleaning device, and pallet work line

Publication Date: 2016.08.23 JAPAN PALLET RENTAL

AI summary

A pallet wiping device that promotes drying after washing of a pallet includes a pallet placement unit on which a pallet is placed, and a wiping unit including a water-absorbing portion formed of a water-absorbent material, an arm supporting the water-absorbing portion and connected to a cylinder, and a cylinder. The cylinder moves the arm reciprocally along a direction in which a fork insertion hole extends while bringing the water-absorbing portion into contact with the inner wall surface of the fork insertion hole. Accordingly, water left in the fork insertion hole of the pallet after washing can be removed. In addition, the pallet can be dried at low cost because removal of water in the interior of the fork insertion hole is implemented without using heat.