Shrinking Device Energy Management via Automated Flow Division
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shrink tunnels face challenges in optimizing energy management, particularly in stand-by phases, leading to increased energy consumption and prolonged wake-up times when resuming production.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a shrinking device with automated control of throttle valves to regulate the flow of shrinking medium, allowing for optimized temperature control and energy management by dividing the medium into two partial flows, with maximum opening during wake-up and partial opening during stand-by to minimize heating and maintain a target stand-by temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the shrink tunnel continuously heats the conveyor belt during stand-by phases to maintain operational readiness, then the wake-up time when resuming production is reduced, but the energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the conveyor belt during stand-by phases to a predetermined temperature level, so that when production resumes, the heating process is already partially complete, reducing the wake-up time while avoiding excessive energy consumption during idle periods
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system dynamically adjusts its operation between stand-by mode (lower power, maintaining minimal temperature) and production mode (full power, rapid heating), allowing the system to optimize energy consumption based on operational state while maintaining readiness
2Use of energy by moving object
If the shrink tunnel reduces heating power during stand-by phases to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the wake-up time when resuming production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains a preliminary temperature level during stand-by phases through reduced heating power, so that when production resumes, the conveyor belt is already warm and requires less heating time, balancing energy savings with operational readiness
3Reliability
If the conveyor belt is continuously exposed to hot shrink medium during stand-by phases, then the shrink tunnel maintains optimal temperature for quick resumption, but the conveyor belt overheats and causes melting or deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls the heating power during stand-by phases, applying sufficient heat to maintain readiness but not excessive heat that would cause overheating, adjusting the balance between reliability and harmful effects based on operational state
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter during stand-by phases to a lower level compared to production phases, maintaining enough heat for quick resumption while preventing overheating and deformation of the conveyor belt
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 reduces energy consumption during stand-by phases, shortens wake-up times, and prevents overheating of the conveyor device, enhancing the availability and energy efficiency of the shrinking device.
Implementation Method 1
Heating means are arranged in the shrink tunnel 2, via which the bundles 5 are subjected to a shrinking medium 19, for example hot air
Implementation Method 2
first coolant fans 24a are therefore arranged, with which a coolant 26, for example cold air, is blown onto the conveyor belt 10
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The device (1') has a conveying device (10) for an article such as beverage container, and a fan (18) for creation of contraction medium (19) such as hot air. A heating coil (20) is arranged for controlling the temperature of the contraction medium, and a division device is arranged for division of the contraction medium into two sub-streams. A set of heating units or nozzle surface (15) is arranged, where one of the heating unit is arranged for heating the conveying device. The division device comprises a control unit for automated control of division of the medium into two sub-streams. An independent claim is also included for a method for adjusting different operating modes of a contraction device.