Cylindrical Roller Cleaning Device with Rotating Brush and Liquid Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning systems for cylindrical rollers in printing machines are inefficient, unreliable, and environmentally harmful, requiring frequent downtime, high costs, and skilled personnel, while also being wasteful and not ensuring satisfactory results in reasonable times.
Innovation Solution
A compact, versatile cleaning device with a cleaning head that combines mechanical and chemical cleaning actions, featuring a rotating brush and adjustable sealing gaskets, allowing for efficient cleaning of rollers of varying diameters without the need for extensive disassembly or specialized safety equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual cleaning systems with brushes are used, then operators can clean rollers by rubbing with chemical products, but these systems do not guarantee uniformity and frequently do not comply with safety regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical brushing with an automated mechanical cleaning system that uses a rotating brush driven by a motor. The brush is pressed against the roller surface with controlled force, eliminating manual operation variability and ensuring consistent cleaning uniformity while maintaining mechanical cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls cleaning parameters such as brush rotation speed, brush pressure force, and cleaning liquid flow rate to ensure uniform cleaning. These parameters are regulated through mechanical and hydraulic systems that maintain constant values during operation, guaranteeing consistent cleaning results.
2Productivity
If Sodium bicarbonate systems are used, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but machine management complexity and product management become very complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex Sodium bicarbonate chemical system, replacing it with a simpler mechanical brush cleaning system. The cleaning liquid is applied through simple spray nozzles without requiring complex chemical management, dosing systems, or specialized handling procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses simple, inexpensive cleaning liquids that can be easily replenished rather than complex chemical systems like Sodium bicarbonate. The mechanical brush is a durable, replaceable component that simplifies the overall system complexity while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
3Manufacturing precision
If laser systems are used, then cleaning precision is improved, but system cost increases and highly skilled personnel are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive laser cleaning technology with a mechanical brush system that achieves sufficient cleaning precision for industrial applications. The mechanical system is far more cost-effective to manufacture, install, and operate, eliminating the need for highly skilled personnel while maintaining adequate cleaning quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses inexpensive mechanical components and standard cleaning liquids instead of expensive laser equipment. The brush and other cleaning elements are simple, replaceable parts that can be manufactured at low cost and replaced easily without requiring specialized technical knowledge.
4Force
If high-pressure water jet machines are used, then cleaning power is improved, but water consumption increases and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses controlled hydraulic systems to apply cleaning liquid through spray nozzles and to press the rotating brush against the roller with regulated force. This hydraulic control provides sufficient cleaning power while using water efficiently in a closed or semi-closed system, reducing overall water consumption compared to high-pressure jet systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the potential harm of excessive water use into benefit by using a controlled amount of cleaning liquid that is applied locally and effectively. The mechanical brush action concentrates the cleaning effect, reducing the total volume of water needed while maintaining or improving cleaning power.
5Productivity
If washing systems with dry ice are used, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but system complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple, conventional cleaning liquids and standard mechanical components instead of complex dry ice systems. The cleaning solution is applied through straightforward spray mechanisms and the mechanical brush provides effective cleaning without requiring specialized cryogenic materials or complex operational procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex dry ice-based cleaning mechanisms with a simple mechanical brush system driven by a motor. This mechanical approach is easier to operate, maintain, and control, while achieving comparable or superior cleaning effectiveness for the intended applications.
6Productivity
If washing systems using only chemical products are used, then cleaning action is improved, but cleaning liquid contacts all machine components and may damage them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cleaning system into distinct zones: the cleaning chamber where chemical action occurs, the mechanical brush zone where physical action occurs, and the rinse/drain zones. This segmentation allows the cleaning liquid to be confined to specific areas, reducing contact with sensitive machine components while maintaining effective cleaning action on the roller surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges mechanical brush cleaning with chemical liquid cleaning in a coordinated manner. The mechanical brush provides the primary cleaning action through friction, while the chemical liquid enhances the effect and removes residues. This combination reduces the reliance on aggressive chemicals alone, minimizing potential damage to machine components.
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 device provides fast, reliable, and cost-effective cleaning with reduced material consumption, capable of being installed both on and off-line, ensuring efficient cleaning of large rollers with minimal mechanical stress and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
manual systems with brushes, which allow the operator to clean the roller by rubbing it
Implementation Method 2
mechanical cleaning member housed in a cleaning chamber with which feeding members are associated for feeding a cleaning liquid into the cleaning chamber, with the mechanical member and the cleaning liquid dispensed by the feeding members working in combination inside the cleaning chamber to clean the cylindrical surface
Implementation Method 3
washing systems using only chemical products
Implementation Method 4
chemical products, both in-line and off-line versions. These are efficient as regards the process
Data Source
AI summary
The cleaning device (20) for cleaning a cylindrical roller (50), for example an anilox roller of a printing machine, includes a cleaning head (30) with a cleaning chamber (110), in which there is housed a mechanical cleaning member (60), and with which there are associated feeding members (70) for feeding a cleaning liquid into the cleaning chamber (110). The mechanical member (60) and cleaning liquid dispensed by the feeding members work in combination inside said cleaning chamber (110) to clean the lateral surface of the roller (50).