Segmented Anti-Whip Partition for Liquid Container Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anti-whip partitions for cylindrical liquid containers are expensive, difficult to clean, and require high precision in manufacturing, limiting their accessibility and effectiveness for thorough cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A partition formed of two segments, each comprising a pipe with a drop-shaped section and a predominantly crescent-shaped plate element with deep folds, allowing for easy assembly and providing a smooth, accessible surface for cleaning and passage between compartments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional anti-whip partitions are made with bolts and plates, then structural strength is improved, but cleanability deteriorates due to corners and edges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidcleanability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The partition is divided into multiple segments that can be assembled together, allowing the structure to maintain strength while eliminating difficult-to-clean corners and edges through curved transitions between segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition uses curved surfaces and rounded transitions instead of sharp edges and corners, making the entire surface accessible to cleaning spray heads and eliminating areas where liquid can accumulate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of manufacture

If partitions are made with complex shapes for thorough cleaning, then cleanability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecleanabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The partition is composed of multiple identical or similar segments that can be manufactured using standard processes and then assembled together, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while achieving the required cleanability through the segmented design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The segmented design allows the same component to be used in multiple positions and orientations within the partition structure, simplifying manufacturing by reducing the number of unique parts that must be produced

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If partitions use traditional plate connections, then structural integrity is improved, but accessibility for cleaning deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidaccessibility for cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The partition employs curved surfaces and rounded edges throughout, ensuring that cleaning spray heads can access all surfaces without obstruction from sharp corners or difficult-to-reach areas, while maintaining structural integrity through the continuous curved geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP2058245B1Segment for making an anti-whip partition for a liquid container that can be thoroughly cleaned

Publication Date: 2011.09.07 VAN HOOL NV

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AI summary

Partition panel for a liquid container that can be thoroughly cleaned (10), characterised in that the partition panel (1) is built such that while it is being inserted inside the container (10), it may occupy a smaller surface than the sectional plane of the container (10).