Textile Drying Device Curved Conveyor Path

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing textile fabric drying devices are inefficient, costly, and lack automation, particularly for mats and carpets, with insufficient drying methods failing to effectively remove moisture quickly and economically.

Innovation Solution

A drying device and method featuring a housing with a conveyor system that includes multiple conveyor sections with deflection devices, a countercurrent drying air flow, and adjustable temperature and humidity settings, optimizing residence time and energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a straight conveyor path is used through the drying chamber, then the device occupies less space, but the residence time of fabrics in the drying chamber is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing dimensionsVSAvoidresidence time
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor path is designed with curved sections instead of straight lines, allowing the fabric to follow a meandering route through the drying chamber. This curved path increases the effective drying path length and residence time while maintaining a compact housing footprint, directly resolving the contradiction between space efficiency and drying duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor system utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement with vertical and horizontal components, creating a multi-level drying path. By adding dimensional complexity to the conveyor route, the system extends the drying path length without proportionally increasing the housing volume, thereby maintaining compact dimensions while enhancing residence time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the conveying speed is increased to improve productivity, then more fabrics can be dried per unit time, but the drying quality and moisture removal effectiveness are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying throughputVSAvoiddrying quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The curved conveyor path creates a longer effective drying path length within the same housing volume. This allows fabrics to remain in the drying chamber for a extended period even at higher conveying speeds, maintaining drying quality while increasing throughput capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The system optimizes the relationship between conveying speed and path length by implementing a curved trajectory. This parameter change in the conveyor geometry allows the system to operate at higher speeds without compromising drying effectiveness, as the extended path compensates for reduced exposure time at each point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of time

If high conveying speed is used to reduce processing time, then productivity increases, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to insufficient drying

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing timeVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The curved conveyor path extends the effective drying time without requiring proportionally higher energy input. By optimizing the path geometry rather than simply increasing heating power, the system achieves thorough drying at high throughput while maintaining energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The continuous curved conveyor path ensures uninterrupted exposure of fabric to drying conditions throughout the entire path length. This continuous action maximizes the utilization of drying energy across the entire fabric surface over time, improving energy efficiency while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Duration of action of moving object

If multiple conveyor sections with deflection devices are added to extend the drying path, then residence time increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresidence timeVSAvoidconveyor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs curved conveyor sections with integrated deflection devices that guide fabric through a meandering path. While multiple sections are used to extend residence time, the curved geometry and systematic arrangement minimize the overall increase in device complexity compared to alternative straight-line configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 solution enables rapid, resource-efficient, and high-quality drying of textile fabrics, particularly mats and carpets, with enhanced drying capacity and reduced space requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element, which are fluidically coupled to the drying chamber and designed for fluidically conditioning a drying air flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a fan and a heating element, which are fluidically coupled to the drying chamber and designed for fluidically conditioning a drying air flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 3

The drying device further comprises a conveyor device with a continuous conveyor path extending through the at least one drying chamber... enables rapid, resource-efficient, and high-quality drying of textile fabrics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4012308B1Method and device for drying textile fabrics
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 MEWA TEXTIL SERVICE AG & CO MANAGEMENT OHG
  • EP4012308B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4012308B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4012308B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a drying device and a method for drying textile fabrics (5), in particular mats (6) or carpets, wherein the device (10) comprises: - a housing (101) which has or forms at least one drying chamber (107, 109), - a conveying device (30) with a continuous conveying section (31) extending through the at least one drying chamber (107, 109), along which the textile fabrics (5) can be conveyed through the at least one drying chamber (107, 109), - wherein the conveying device (30) has at least a first conveying section (32) and a second conveying section (34), wherein the second conveying section (34) adjoins the first conveying section (32) in a conveying direction (F) determined by the conveying section (31) via a deflection device (70) within the housing (101),and wherein the first conveying section (32) as well as the second conveying section (34) can be supplied with a drying air stream (160, 160').