Machine and method for washing and/or sterilizing loose products
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing and sterilizing machines for loose products face issues with misalignment of angular compartments and apertures, leading to operational slowdowns, downtimes, and mechanical interferences, especially when partially loaded, requiring manual realignment and verification.
Innovation Solution
A machine with an automatic angular detection unit and control unit that predefined reference positions for the rotating drum relative to loading and unloading apertures, allowing for precise alignment and automated repositioning, enabling efficient and reliable loading and unloading of loose products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual realignment of the rotating drum is performed to correct misalignment between angular compartments and apertures, then alignment precision is improved, but operational time is increased and productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-alignment through the control unit automatically positioning the rotating drum based on signals from the angular detection unit, eliminating the need for manual realignment operations and restoring full productivity without sacrificing alignment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The angular detection unit continuously monitors the rotational position of the drum and provides feedback signals to the control unit, enabling automatic correction of misalignment and preventing operational delays while maintaining precise alignment between compartments and apertures
2Productivity
If automated mechanisms for opening and closing angular compartments are provided, then operational efficiency is improved, but mechanical interferences and blockages may occur due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically positions the rotating drum to precise reference positions before automated mechanisms attempt to open or close angular compartments, preventing mechanical interferences and blockages while maintaining high operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The angular detection unit provides continuous feedback on drum position to the control unit, ensuring that automated compartment operations only occur when properly aligned, thereby eliminating mechanical interference risks while preserving operational efficiency
3Adaptability or versatility
If partial loading of the machine is allowed, then adaptability is improved, but verification of compartment status becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The angular detection unit automatically tracks which angular compartments are loaded and provides feedback signals to the control unit, enabling automatic identification of full compartments without manual verification and simplifying the partial loading process while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The manual visual verification process is replaced by an automated detection system using sensors and control electronics that automatically identify the status of each angular compartment, reducing verification complexity while preserving loading flexibility
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Machine for washing and/or sterilizing loose products comprising a treatment chamber (12) provided with at least one functional loading and/or unloading aperture and containing a rotating drum (16) provided with a plurality of angular compartments (32). The machine comprises at least one drum actuation element (85), provided with a drive shaft (90), configured to make the rotating drum (16) rotate around an axis of rotation (X), at least one automatic angular detection unit (15) configured to supply a reference signal relating to a predefined reference angular position of a predefined angular compartment (32) of the rotating drum (16) in relation to the position of the functional loading and/or unloading aperture, at least one control unit (98) configured to communicate with the automatic angular detection unit (15) and to command the drum actuation element (85), so as to make the rotating drum (16) rotate to search for the predefined reference position of the rotating drum (16) and dispose the rotating drum (16) in the predefined reference position.