Rotating Drum Washing Apparatus with Segmented Cylindrical Body

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotating drum type workpiece washing apparatuses lack the capability to simultaneously or consecutively perform immersion washing, shower washing, and washing by running liquid efficiently without significant structural alterations.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a rotating drum with a first cylindrical body section featuring a liquid passable and impassable portion along its circumferential direction, allowing for sequential transitions between immersion washing, washing by running liquid, and shower washing as the drum rotates, along with a shaking rotation mode and workpiece raising members to ensure thorough cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the rotating drum uses a metal cylinder structure, then the workpieces can be immersion washed while being conveyed, but the washing liquid accumulates between adjacent workpiece feeding fins which reduces washing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing effectVSAvoidwashing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating drum's cylindrical body is segmented into multiple sections with different wall thicknesses. The first cylindrical body section has a first wall thickness that allows washing liquid accumulation for immersion washing, while the second cylindrical body section has a second wall thickness that prevents accumulation and enables shower washing. This segmentation allows both washing methods to coexist in the same drum without requiring separate drums for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the rotating drum are given different local qualities through varying wall thicknesses. The first cylindrical body section has thicker walls to contain and accumulate washing liquid for immersion washing, while the second cylindrical body section has thinner walls to allow liquid passage for shower washing. This local differentiation enables diverse washing functions within a single integrated drum structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the rotating drum uses a porous plate structure, then the workpieces can be shower washed while being conveyed, but washing liquid does not accumulate between the workpiece feeding fins which reduces immersion washing capability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing effectVSAvoidwashing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating drum is divided into functional segments with different wall thickness characteristics. The first cylindrical body section uses a wall thickness configuration that enables washing liquid accumulation for immersion washing, while the second cylindrical body section uses a wall thickness configuration that prevents accumulation for shower washing. This segmentation allows the drum to perform both washing functions effectively without requiring separate porous or solid drum structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drum structure implements local quality differentiation where the first cylindrical body section has wall thickness properties suitable for liquid accumulation and immersion washing, while the second cylindrical body section has wall thickness properties suitable for liquid passage and shower washing. This localized structural variation enables diverse washing capabilities within a single drum.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If the washing apparatus uses a single rotating drum structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the capability to simultaneously perform immersion washing, shower washing, and washing by running liquid is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrum structureVSAvoidwashing methods
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The single rotating drum is segmented into multiple functional sections along its length. The first cylindrical body section is configured for immersion washing with liquid accumulation, the second cylindrical body section is configured for shower washing with liquid passage, and the helical workpiece feeding fin provides for washing by running liquid. This segmentation within a single drum enables multiple washing methods without requiring multiple separate drums or complex additional equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating drum is designed as a multi-functional universal structure that can perform immersion washing, shower washing, and washing by running liquid simultaneously or consecutively. The different wall thickness sections of the drum and the helical feeding fin work together to provide diverse washing capabilities within one integrated apparatus, eliminating the need for separate dedicated washing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If the washing liquid is sprayed directly onto the workpiece, then shower washing is achieved, but the washing liquid does not accumulate to provide sufficient immersion washing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing effectVSAvoidwashing liquid accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating drum is segmented into a first cylindrical body section with wall thickness configured for liquid accumulation and a second cylindrical body section with wall thickness configured for liquid passage. As the drum rotates, workpieces pass through both sections, experiencing both immersion washing in the first section and shower washing in the second section. This segmentation enables both liquid accumulation and direct spraying functions within the same drum.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating drum creates periodic action by cycling workpieces through different wall thickness sections. As the drum rotates, workpieces alternately pass through the first cylindrical body section (with liquid accumulation) and the second cylindrical body section (with liquid passage), experiencing periodic immersion and shower washing in sequence during each rotation cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 configuration enhances washing efficiency by repeatedly exposing workpieces to different washing methods with each rotation, increasing the overall washing effect without requiring substantial changes to the drum's structure, thus enabling a cost-effective and efficient washing process.

Implementation Method 1

the washing liquid is sprayed onto the workpiece inside the rotating drum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

washing liquid accumulates between adjacent workpiece feeding fins

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAccumulation:

Implementation Method 3

the washing liquid flows out downward from the rotating drum through the liquid passable portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2636459B1Rotating drum type work washing apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 HIRAIDE PRECISION CO LTD
  • EP2636459B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(d)
  • EP2636459B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a1)~2(b4)
  • EP2636459B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

In a rotating drum (4) of a rotating drum type workpiece washing apparatus (1), a first cylindrical body section (21), in which a liquid impassable part (21a) that follows the circumferential orientation and does not allow a washing solution to pass and a liquid passing part (21b) that allows the washing solution to pass are formed, is provided. With the rotation of a rotating drum (4), workpiece (w) is transported in the direction of the line of the central axis along the inner circumferential surface part on the lower side inside the rotating drum by spiral workpiece transport fins (8) formed along the inner circumferential surface inside the rotating drum. During transport with the rotation of the rotating drum (4), the washing configuration for the workpiece is switched from immersion washing to flowing water washing and shower washing in that order. The workpiece can be washed in different configurations; therefore, the washing effect on the workpiece can be increased by the rotating drum with the spiral workpiece transport fins.