Shrink Oven Standby Control for Energy Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic shrink-wrapping machines consume excessive energy during periods of inactivity, and existing solutions to reduce energy consumption have limited impact on overall energy savings without affecting production readiness.
Innovation Solution
The retraction device of the shrink-wrapping machine operates in a standby mode by reducing the speed of air circulation turbines and lowering the oven temperature when not in use, allowing for quick resumption of production upon availability of products, thereby minimizing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shrink device operates continuously at full power to maintain production readiness, then the machine can quickly resume production, but energy consumption increases significantly during inactivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the operational state of the shrink device adaptable and changeable. The control system dynamically adjusts the device between full operational mode and reduced-power standby mode based on real-time detection of production needs, allowing the system to optimize energy consumption while maintaining the capability to quickly resume production when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying operational parameters (power level, heating intensity, air circulation) when transitioning between production and standby modes. The control system adjusts these parameters to reduce energy consumption during inactivity while ensuring that critical functions remain operational for quick production resumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the air circulation turbines operate at reduced speed during standby mode, then energy consumption decreases, but the mixing of hot air and production quality may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by operating the air circulation turbines at reduced speed during standby mode, providing just enough air circulation to maintain basic hot air mixing without the full intensity required during production. This partial operation sufficiently maintains production quality readiness while achieving significant energy savings.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the oven temperature is lowered during standby mode, then energy consumption is reduced, but the time to reach operating temperature upon resumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by maintaining the oven at a reduced but non-zero temperature during standby mode, rather than allowing it to cool completely. This preliminary maintenance of thermal energy allows the oven to reach full operating temperature much faster when production resumes, reducing the heating time penalty while still achieving significant energy savings during inactivity.
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 significantly reduces energy consumption during inactive periods without impacting production readiness, ensuring the machine can quickly restart when production resumes, thus optimizing energy efficiency and maintaining production flow.
Implementation Method 1
an oven (6) comprising at least one heating element (7) intended to heat the air in this oven (6) and at least one air circulation member (8) intended to distribute this hot air in this oven (6)
Implementation Method 2
at least one heating element (7) intended to heat the air in this oven (6)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of operating a shrink device (1) of an automatic shrink wrapper (2) intended for use in a product processing installation (3) delivered in bundles (4) which each group several products (3) held together by means of a shrink film (5); said shrink device (1) being equipped with a shrink oven (6) comprising at least one heating element (7) for heating the air in the oven (6) and at least one air circulation element (8) for distributing the hot air in the oven (6); said method of operation comprising a production mode in which the shrink wrapper (2) is set to be able to produce and a shallow standby mode, conducive to energy saving; method characterized in that the shallow standby mode comprises reducing the speed of at least one air circulation element (8) compared to the production mode, down to a non-zero value.The invention also relates to a corresponding device.