Single-Roller Vacuum Chamber Rotation for Distortion-Tolerant Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum microwave dehydration apparatuses with rotating containers are mechanically complex, requiring precise synchronization and alignment of double rollers, which is difficult to maintain due to container expansion and distortion at high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum microwave dehydration apparatus using a single roller with spur gear teeth that meshes with the container's teeth to rotate and transport it, supported by guide members and moved through the chamber by pushing and pulling cylinders, with a simplified mechanism for container handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pair of rotatable rollers with chain drive is used to transport the container, then the container can be rotated and transported through the chamber, but the mechanical complexity increases due to synchronization requirements, transmission mechanisms, and precise alignment needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes one of the two rollers from the system, extracting the unnecessary component. A single roller with circumferential gear teeth engages directly with gear teeth on the container, eliminating the chain drive and synchronization mechanisms while maintaining the container's rotation and transport functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear teeth on the roller act as an intermediary mechanism between the drive source and the container. Instead of using a complex chain drive system, the gear engagement provides a simple, direct way to transfer rotational motion from the roller to the container, ensuring synchronized rotation without complex transmission mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise alignment of double rollers is maintained, then proper engagement with containers is achieved, but the system becomes difficult to maintain due to container expansion and distortion at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The single roller design with gear engagement allows for dynamic adaptation to container dimensional changes. The gear teeth provide a self-adjusting mechanism that maintains proper engagement even when containers expand or distort due to thermal effects, eliminating the need for precise fixed alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accommodates changes in container parameters (dimensions, shape) due to thermal expansion by using gear engagement that can adapt to these variations. The modular nature of gear teeth engagement allows the system to maintain functionality across a range of container sizes and shapes without requiring precise re-alignment.
3Device complexity
If a single roller with gear teeth is used instead of double rollers, then mechanical complexity is reduced, but the ability to maintain container alignment and rotation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical system of double rollers with chain drive with a simpler single roller system using direct gear engagement. The gear teeth on both the roller and container provide inherent mechanical guidance and alignment, substituting the need for complex external alignment mechanisms while maintaining precise rotational control.
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 apparatus achieves efficient and robust dehydration of organic materials with reduced mechanical complexity, maintaining alignment and operation stability despite container expansion, allowing for continuous throughput.
Implementation Method 1
The spur gear teeth of the roller mesh with the spur gear teeth of the container such that driving the rotation of the roller about its longitudinal axis rotates the container about its longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
The apparatus also includes a microwave generator arranged for transmission of microwave radiation from the generator into the vacuum chamber
Implementation Method 3
The apparatus includes means for reducing the pressure in the vacuum chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and method for providing a simpler and more robust mechanism for transporting materials to be dried through a vacuum microwave chamber in rotating containers. The apparatus (20) has a vacuum chamber (22), an input end (26) to introduce a container (24) into the chamber, and a discharge end (28) to remove the container. The container has spur gear teeth (60) extending along its outer circumferential surface. The apparatus has a single roller (42) having spur gear teeth (46) extending along its outer circumferential surface. The spur gear teeth of the roller mesh with the spur gear teeth of the container such that rotation of the roller about its longitudinal axis rotates the container. The apparatus also includes means for holding the container on the roller, means for moving the container through the chamber, a microwave generator 76 arranged for transmission of microwave radiation from the generator into the chamber, and means for reducing pressure inside the chamber.