Integrated Vacuum Drier for Industrial Hides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum driers for industrial hides are bulky, inefficient, and require complex disassembly for transportation and installation, leading to increased maintenance costs, longer drying times, and higher power consumption due to external condensers and lengthy connection tubing.
Innovation Solution
A compact vacuum drier design where the vacuum means, power unit, hydraulic station, and control means are integrated within the machine body, with vapor manifolds directly attached to uprights near the tables, minimizing connection tubing length and circuit volume, reducing pressure losses and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the vacuum means, power unit, hydraulic station and control means are placed in a separate assembly outside the machine body, then the machine body structure is simpler, but the plan area occupied increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the vacuum means, power unit, hydraulic station, and control means directly into the machine body, merging previously separate assemblies into a unified structure. This eliminates the need for external assemblies and reduces the overall plan area occupied by the drier while maintaining all necessary functions within the bearing structure.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If flexible tubes are made long and poorly bent to minimize mutual rubbing, then tube life is extended, but pressure losses increase and circuit volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vacuum means from the external assembly and places it directly on the bearing structure, eliminating the need for long flexible tubes. This extraction of the vacuum source to a strategic location minimizes tube length while maintaining tube durability through proper routing near the tables.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vapor manifold as an intermediary component that is directly attached to the uprights of the bearing structure. This manifold serves as a local distribution point for vapor extraction, allowing short connection tubes to reach each table while the manifold handles the bulk of the vapor flow to the vacuum pump, reducing overall circuit volume and pressure losses.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If external condensers and condensate separators are included in the circuit, then vapor condensation is improved, but maintenance costs increase and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the condensation and separation functions directly into the vacuum circuit by integrating condensate separators at the vacuum pump inlet and utilizing the bearing structure itself as a condensation surface. This integration eliminates separate external condenser units that require chilled water systems, reducing maintenance requirements while effectively handling vapor condensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing structure serves a dual function by acting as both the mechanical support structure and a thermal condensation surface. The structure naturally condenses vapors through its thermal mass and surface area, eliminating the need for separate active cooling systems and external condensers, thereby reducing maintenance costs and improving reliability.
4Ease of manufacture
If the machine is designed as separate assemblies for shipment, then transportation is facilitated, but assembly time increases and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drier into modular components (bearing structure with integrated vacuum means, table assemblies, drive means) that can be independently manufactured and shipped. The standardized interfaces and pre-integrated subsystems enable rapid on-site assembly, reducing installation time and complexity while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular design.
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 design results in a more efficient, cost-effective, and compact drier with reduced pressure losses, faster drying times, lower power consumption, and simplified installation, achieving higher suction capacity, longer tube life, and reduced maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
vacuum means adapted for selective connection to said tables for drawing vapors released from the hides from said vacuum chambers
Implementation Method 2
drawing vapors through a circuit comprising at least one manifold connected to the tables via appropriate connection tubing
Implementation Method 3
the tables are heated by appropriate heating means
Implementation Method 4
In order to facilitate evaporation of moisture from the hides, the tables are heated by appropriate heating means
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A vacuum drier (1 ) for drying industrial hides (P), comprises: a body having a bearing structure (2) a pair of end uprights (4), substantially vertical guide means, a lower base (6) and an upper cover (7), a plurality of tables (12) for supporting the hides (P) which are adapted to be peripherally and sealingly coupled to define vacuum chambers (15); drive means for vertically moving the tables (12) along the guide means, which are connected to a power unit (16), heating means for the tables (12) for heating the hides, connected to a hydraulic station (17), vacuum means (26) adapted for selective connection to the tables (12) for drawing vapors released from the hides (P), control means (29) for controlling the drive means, the heating means and the vacuum means (26), a suction line for connecting the chambers with the vacuum means (26), a vapor manifold (30) and connection tubing (31). The vacuum means (26), the power unit (16), the hydraulic station (17) and the control means (29) are mounted to the bearing structure (2) in the plan projection of the body. The vapor manifold (30) is directly mounted to an upright (4) near the tables (12).