Releasable Connection Device for Washing Machine Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional treatment machines for objects, particularly those used for washing and sterilization, face challenges in automatically attaching and extracting multiple object-holder containers in sequence, leading to difficulties and safety concerns during premature cycle interruptions, as the unloading door blocks and requires manual intervention, especially for containers at the bottom of the treatment chamber.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a releasable connection device and activation means on the lateral walls of the treatment chamber allows automatic attachment and detachment of object-holder containers, enabling simultaneous extraction by activating the connection device when the last container is inserted, and de-activating it during extraction to facilitate easy removal of all containers, including those at the bottom of the chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple object-holder containers are inserted in sequence into the treatment chamber, then the treatment capacity and productivity are improved, but the difficulty of extracting containers during premature cycle interruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the container management into individual controllable units (containers with sliders) that can be independently positioned and extracted. Each container can be controlled separately by the control unit, allowing selective extraction without manual intervention even during premature cycle interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service extraction through automated control. The control unit automatically manages the extraction sequence of containers based on their insertion order and chamber position, eliminating the need for manual extraction operations. The sliders and activation means work automatically to facilitate container removal without operator intervention.
2Productivity
If the treatment chamber is designed to accommodate multiple containers in sequence, then the productivity is improved, but the safety risk during premature cycle interruption increases due to blocked unloading door
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary control unit that mediates between the container insertion/extraction operations and the chamber door blocking issue. The control unit coordinates the extraction of containers before the unloading door blocks, ensuring safe operation during premature cycle interruption while maintaining high productivity through automated multi-container handling.
3Device complexity
If automatic movement means and sensors are not provided in the treatment chamber, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to automatically manage multiple containers is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by pre-positioning containers on rollerways with sliders before they enter the treatment chamber. The sliders are pre-configured with attachment elements that can engage with activation means on the chamber walls. This preliminary setup enables automated extraction without requiring complex sensors or movement means inside the chamber, balancing simplicity with automation capability.
4Reliability
If the unloading door automatically blocks during treatment, then the treatment integrity is maintained, but the manual extraction of containers becomes necessary and dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical extraction with an automated control system. Instead of requiring operators to manually pull containers from the chamber (especially the bottom-most container), the control unit activates the sliders through activation means on the chamber walls, automatically extracting containers in the correct sequence before the unloading door blocks. This substitution eliminates manual intervention while maintaining treatment integrity.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
Machine for treating objects, in particular washing, thermal disinfection and/or sterilization of objects, comprising at least a treatment chamber (11) configured to house a plurality of object-holder containers (12, 13) located in sequence and comprising opposite lateral walls (30, 31); the machine comprises at least a releasable connection device (22, 22') of the object-holder containers (12, 13), associated with at least one of the object-holder containers (12, 13) and configured to cooperate with activation means (32, 33) positioned on the lateral walls inside the treatment chamber (11); the device (22, 22') comprises at least a sliding block (23, 23') associated with at least a first head and/or tail bar (15, 16) of a object-holder container (13, 12) and provided with an attachment element (24, 24') able to engage said first bar (15, 16) and at least a second bar (16, 15) of another object-holder container (12, 13), following the translation of the sliding block (23, 23') with respect to the first bar (15, 16); the sliding block (23, 23') is made to translate in one direction or the other with respect to the bar (15, 16) by means of the activation means (32, 33); so that, inserting an object-holder container (13) in the treatment chamber (11) after at least a first object-holder container (12) already inserted in the chamber (11) and moving the object-holder containers (12, 13) toward the inside of the chamber (11), the releasable connection device (22, 22') is automatically activated by the activation means (32, 33) in order to reciprocally connect the object-holder containers (12, 13), so as to allow a simultaneous extraction, acting on the last object-holder container (13) inserted.