Rotating Platform Agricultural Container Cleaning System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container cleaning methods are inefficient and labor-intensive, especially for high-volume applications, as they often require complex systems or manual operation, which increases costs and reduces productivity in cleaning agricultural seed boxes and other containers.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning system that rotates the container while applying pressurized liquid from multiple spray bars, allowing for efficient and effective cleaning of both exterior and interior surfaces using a combination of vertical and horizontal spray portions and a handheld nozzle sprayer, reducing the need for human operators with high-pressure washers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning or complex conveyor cleaning systems are used, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but labor intensity and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container is rotated on a turntable during cleaning, transforming the static cleaning process into a dynamic one. This rotation allows spray bars to continuously engage different surfaces of the container, improving cleaning effectiveness without requiring complex conveyor systems or manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
High-pressure spray bars deliver cleaning fluid to the container surfaces. The hydraulic/pneumatic force of the pressurized spray provides effective cleaning action, replacing manual labor while maintaining a relatively simple system structure compared to conveyor-based systems.
2Productivity
If complex conveyor cleaning systems are used, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating container on the turntable enables continuous exposure of all surfaces to the spray bars, achieving high cleaning efficiency without the need for complex conveyor mechanisms. The rotation itself provides the motion needed for thorough cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray bars are positioned to clean multiple surfaces of the rotating container simultaneously. The same spray bar system handles both interior and exterior cleaning through the rotation, providing multi-functionality without requiring separate conveyor cleaning stations.
3Device complexity
If manual cleaning is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but labor intensity and cleaning time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating container brings its own surfaces into contact with the stationary spray bars, eliminating the need for manual positioning or movement. The system cleans itself through the rotation mechanism, reducing labor intensity while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is positioned on the turntable and rotated into place before cleaning begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that all surfaces will be exposed to the spray bars during rotation, enabling efficient cleaning without manual intervention during the actual cleaning process.
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 system enables fast, efficient, and cost-effective cleaning of containers, extending their lifespan and ensuring they are free from debris and contaminants, suitable for high-volume industrial processes without the need for complex conveyor systems.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of spray bars coupled to the vertical spray portion and the horizontal spray portion, wherein each spray bar of the plurality of spray bars includes a plurality of nozzles configured to spray the fluid therefrom. The plurality of spray bars are operable to spray the fluid on an exterior of the agricultural container as the agricultural container is rotated by the platform.
Data Source
AI summary
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for agricultural container cleaning that includes a cleaning system having a support member having a platform configured to support an agricultural container thereon, wherein the platform is configured to rotate with the agricultural container supported thereon. The cleaning system further includes at least one reservoir configured to store a fluid, a vertical spray portion arranged along a first axis and fluidly coupled to the at least one reservoir, and a horizontal spray portion arranged along a second axis fluidly coupled to the at least one reservoir, wherein the first axis is different than the second axis. The cleaning system also includes a plurality of spray bars coupled to the vertical spray portion and the horizontal spray portion, wherein each spray bar of the plurality of spray bars includes a plurality of nozzles configured to spray the fluid therefrom.