Rotary Brush Washing Apparatus with Zone Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cleaning and sanitizing rotary brushes used in food processing are inefficient and inconsistent, as they require manual washing and lack thorough exposure to cleaning solutions, making it difficult to remove dirt, debris, and organisms effectively.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine designed with internal zones and a carrier system that allows rotary brushes to revolve and spin, facilitating the application of cleaning solutions and sprays to thoroughly clean and sanitize the brushes, with independent drives for rotating and spinning the brushes for enhanced cleaning efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual washing methods are used for cleaning rotary brushes, then the process is simple to operate, but the cleaning consistency and thoroughness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple internal zones (soak zone, wash zone, rinse zone, sanitize zone) that sequentially treat different sections of the brushes. This segmentation allows each zone to perform a specific cleaning function with optimized exposure time and solution concentration, ensuring consistent and thorough cleaning across all brushes.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier system dynamically rotates and indexes brushes through different zones, while the brushes simultaneously spin on their axes. This dual motion system ensures uniform exposure of all brush surfaces to cleaning solutions, eliminating the inconsistency of manual washing while maintaining automated operation.
2Productivity
If brushes are removed for manual cleaning, then access to brush surfaces is improved, but the cleaning efficiency and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine is designed as a universal system that can accommodate multiple brushes simultaneously on a single carrier. The same machine performs soaking, washing, rinsing, and sanitizing functions in sequence, eliminating the need for multiple separate cleaning operations and significantly improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier system continuously indexes brushes through all cleaning zones in an automated sequence, maintaining continuous exposure to cleaning solutions without interruption. This eliminates the downtime and labor associated with manual removal and reinstallation of brushes, ensuring continuous productive operation.
3Reliability
If brushes are soaked in trays for cleaning, then the method is simple to implement, but the sanitization effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different zones within the housing provide locally optimized cleaning conditions: the soak zone uses standing solution for penetration, the wash zone uses agitated solution for mechanical removal, the rinse zone uses fresh solution for removal of contaminants, and the sanitize zone uses controlled solution for microbial elimination. Each zone's solution composition and exposure time are locally optimized for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates timed exposure sequences where brushes are exposed to cleaning solutions for predetermined durations in each zone, ensuring adequate contact time for effective sanitization. The automated indexing mechanism ensures consistent exposure time across all brushes, providing reliable sanitization effectiveness.
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 machine efficiently and consistently cleans and sanitizes rotary brushes, ensuring effective removal of dirt, debris, and organisms, improving sanitation and reducing manual labor and waste.
Implementation Method 1
a sprayer for applying spray on the rotary brushes for removing particulate matter from the rotary brushes
Implementation Method 2
a cleaning solution applicator for applying cleaning solution on the rotary brushes
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for washing and sanitizing elongate rotary brushes used for cleaning fruit, produce, and other food products includes a cylindrical housing (14), within which is installed a carrier assembly (16) for supporting the rotary brushes (12) to revolve around the interior of the housing and also to simultaneously spin the rotary brushes about their individual longitudinal axis (18). The interior of the housing is divided into separate zones for carrying out the steps of the cleaning and sanitation process. Effluent from the cleaning process is collected in a tank (30) located at the bottom of the housing. The brushes are conveniently loaded onto and removed from the apparatus (10) through a side door opening (52) provided in the housing.