Rotating Hemming Head Cleaning via Centrifugal Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cleaning rotatably mounted working tools, such as hemming heads, are inefficient and unsuitable for automated production due to issues like clogging, high cleaning product consumption, and the need for manual intervention, which disrupts production and leads to quality and ecological problems.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing centrifugal forces to separate impurities from the working tool's surface by rotating it within a cleaning chamber, without contact with mechanical elements, combined with the application of a separation liquid to enhance cleaning efficacy and reduce adhesive forces, allowing for quick and effective cleaning within the tool's operational rotation speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contact methods with centrifugally driven cleaning elements are used, then cleaning capability is improved, but the method is unsuitable for gel-form impurities with higher adhesiveness and requires production interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-based mechanical cleaning elements with a centrifugal field-based cleaning system. The working tool itself rotates at controlled speeds to generate centrifugal forces that throw impurities outward, eliminating the need for separate mechanical cleaning elements and allowing cleaning to occur during production cycles without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The working tool performs its own cleaning function by utilizing its rotational motion. The tool's rotation generates centrifugal forces that automatically separate and remove impurities from its surface, eliminating the need for separate cleaning operations and enabling continuous production.
2Reliability
If manual cleaning by personnel with cloths and cleaning products is used, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but it requires interruption of production and increases costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual cleaning operations with an automated centrifugal cleaning system. The working tool rotates to generate centrifugal forces that automatically remove impurities, eliminating the need for personnel intervention and cleaning products while maintaining production continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-cleaning of the working tool through its own rotational motion. The tool cleans itself by generating centrifugal forces during normal operation, eliminating dependency on manual cleaning operations and their associated production interruptions.
3Reliability
If rotating brushes are used for cleaning, then cleaning function is achieved, but constructional complexity increases and ecological problems arise from brush disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical brush systems with a simple centrifugal field generation system. By utilizing the working tool's rotation to create centrifugal forces, the system eliminates brushes, motors, and complex mechanisms while achieving effective cleaning through the natural physics of centrifugal separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the brush component entirely from the cleaning system. By relying solely on centrifugal forces generated during tool rotation, the design eliminates the need for separate cleaning mechanisms, reducing constructional complexity and eliminating ecological disposal problems.
4Reliability
If the working tool rotates at high speed for cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the allowed speed of the deposition must not be exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic speed control system that adjusts the rotation speed of the working tool during cleaning operations. The system activates centrifugal cleaning only during periods when the deposition is not in use, allowing the tool to rotate at higher speeds for effective cleaning without compromising the precision requirements during actual deposition operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning operation is performed periodically when the deposition is idle, allowing the working tool to rotate at high speeds for effective cleaning. This periodic action separates the high-speed cleaning phase from the precision deposition phase, resolving the speed conflict.
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 approach enables efficient, short-term cleaning that integrates seamlessly into automated production cycles, reducing idle time, workforce needs, and environmental impact by minimizing waste and maintaining tool durability without requiring hardware changes to existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
the impurities from the surface of the tool are removed by centrifugation
Implementation Method 2
the separated impurities are thrown from the surface of the working tool to the inner surface of the sheath
Implementation Method 3
the application of a separation liquid to enhance cleaning efficacy and reduce adhesive forces
Data Source
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AI summary
The working tool (1) is placed inside the cleaning chamber (4); subsequently the working tool (1) is led into rotation by means of a transmission which acts upon the working tool (1) outside its polluted surface (2). The working tool (1) rotates in the speed of rotation which does not surpasses the allowed speed of rotation of the placement of the working tool (1); preferably it rotates in the speed close to the maximum speed of rotation of the used bearings of the placement of the working tool (1) at least for 2 seconds. Before the first working operation of the working tool (1) and/or after each rotational cleaning of the working tool (1) a separation liquid is applied onto the cleaned surface (2). The device has a stand (11), whereby the driving unit (3) with the engine (12) and the gear (13) is placed on the stand. The jib with the vessel (9) for the separation liquid and three dispersers (8) which are placed with the even angular pitch in the vertical plane, and which are connected with the vessel (9), whereby the collecting vessel (10) is placed below the dispersers (8), are connected to the stand (11).