Perforated Drum Textile Cleaning With Particle Recirculation

Solution Overview

Problem

Aqueous textile fabric washing processes face challenges in reducing energy, water, and detergent consumption while maintaining effective mechanical action, which is essential for efficient cleaning without causing fabric damage.

Innovation Solution

The use of a cleaning apparatus with a perforated drum and continuous circulation of polymeric particles, which allows for efficient cleaning and separation without the need for an outer skin, enabling reduced water and detergent usage while maintaining effective cleaning performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If higher water level is used in the drum, then better mechanical action is achieved, but energy and water consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical actionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional water-based mechanical action with an air flow system. A fan generates a controlled air current that passes through the fabric load, providing mechanical force for soil removal without requiring large volumes of water. This substitution maintains effective mechanical action while dramatically reducing water and energy consumption associated with heating and circulating large amounts of water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs pneumatic principles by using a fan-generated air flow system to provide mechanical action on the fabric. The air current serves as the working fluid to deliver force for cleaning, replacing the traditional hydraulic approach of using water circulation and agitation. This pneumatic system achieves effective mechanical action with minimal water usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Force

If higher water level is used in the drum, then better mechanical action is achieved, but water consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical actionVSAvoidwater consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional water-based mechanical action with an air flow system. A fan generates a controlled air current that passes through the fabric load, providing mechanical force for soil removal without requiring large volumes of water. This substitution maintains effective mechanical action while dramatically reducing water and energy consumption associated with heating and circulating large amounts of water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs pneumatic principles by using a fan-generated air flow system to provide mechanical action on the fabric. The air current serves as the working fluid to deliver force for cleaning, replacing the traditional hydraulic approach of using water circulation and agitation. This pneumatic system achieves effective mechanical action with minimal water usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If higher detergent concentration is used, then better cleaning is achieved, but detergent consumption and effluent disposal needs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoiddetergent consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional water-based mechanical action with an air flow system. A fan generates a controlled air current that passes through the fabric load, providing mechanical force for soil removal without requiring large volumes of water. This substitution maintains effective mechanical action while dramatically reducing water and energy consumption associated with heating and circulating large amounts of water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental parameters of the cleaning system by introducing an air flow mechanism with controlled velocity and direction. The fan-generated air current provides adjustable mechanical force that can be optimized for different fabric types and soil levels, replacing the need for high detergent concentrations. This parameter change enables effective cleaning with minimal detergent usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If higher energy (temperature) is used, then better cleaning is achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional water-based mechanical action with an air flow system. A fan generates a controlled air current that passes through the fabric load, providing mechanical force for soil removal without requiring large volumes of water. This substitution maintains effective mechanical action while dramatically reducing water and energy consumption associated with heating and circulating large amounts of water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs pneumatic principles by using a fan-generated air flow system to provide mechanical action on the fabric. The air current serves as the working fluid to deliver force for cleaning, replacing the traditional hydraulic approach of using water circulation and agitation. This pneumatic system achieves effective mechanical action with minimal water usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

This approach significantly reduces energy, water, and detergent consumption while ensuring effective cleaning and minimizing fabric damage, offering economic and environmental benefits by allowing for the reuse of cleaning particles and optimized water management.

Implementation Method 1

a fan, adapted to generate a controlled air current within the drum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow:

Implementation Method 2

The drum is formed with a multiplicity of perforations distributed over its entire surface area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP2534293B1Improved cleaning apparatus and method

Publication Date: 2015.05.06 XEROS LTD

Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention provides an apparatus and method for use in the cleaning of soiled substrates, the apparatus comprising: (a) housing means (1), having: (i) a first upper chamber having mounted therein a rotatably mounted cylindrical cage, and (ii) a second lower chamber (3) located beneath the cylindrical cage; (b) at least one recirculation means (4); (c) access means (10); (d) pumping means (8); (e) a multiplicity of delivery means (6), wherein the rotatably mounted cylindrical cage comprises a drum (2) comprising perforated side walls, wherein up to 60% of the surface area of the side walls comprises perforations, and the perforations comprise holes having a diameter of no greater than 25.0 mm. The method involves cleaning the soiled substrate by treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising solid particulate cleaning material and wash water, the method being carried out using the apparatus of the invention. The apparatus and method find particular application in the cleaning of textile fabrics.