Washer Peeler Cleaning System with Movable Spray Bar
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vegetable peeling and cleaning apparatuses require manual and time-consuming cleaning of cylindrical rolls, which reduces their effectiveness due to debris accumulation, and safety mechanisms prevent rolls from rotating during conventional cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning system featuring a spray bar with nozzles that can move along the length of the rolls, driven by a prime mover, allowing for the simultaneous spraying of liquid onto the rolls and their rotation, ensuring thorough and efficient cleaning while maintaining safety compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual cleaning of rolls is performed by opening the cover, then the rolls can be accessed for cleaning, but the cleaning process becomes time-consuming and safety mechanisms prevent rolls from rotating during cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the rolls to clean themselves by rotating in place while the spray bar applies cleaning solution and uses high-velocity air streams to blow debris off the rolls, eliminating the need for manual disassembly and cleaning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical cleaning process is replaced with an automated system that uses fluid dynamics (spray bars, high-velocity air streams) and the rolls' own rotation to achieve cleaning, eliminating the need for operator intervention and manual labor
2Ease of operation
If the machine cover is opened for cleaning, then the rolls are accessible, but safety mechanisms prevent the rolls from rotating during the cleaning process
Solution Approach 1:
The rolls perform their own cleaning by rotating and allowing the spray bar to apply cleaning agents and air streams to their surfaces, maintaining safety compliance while achieving thorough cleaning without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of stopping the rolls to clean them, the system reverses the approach by cleaning the rolls while they are rotating, using the rolls' own motion to facilitate the cleaning process rather than hindering it
3Device complexity
If a stationary spray bar is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot clean all surfaces of the rolls effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The spray bar is transformed from a stationary component to a movable one that travels along the rolls, enabling it to reach and clean all surfaces of the rolls including end surfaces, while maintaining relatively simple structural implementation through linear movement
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 system enables complete and consistent cleaning of the rolls and surrounding surfaces, reducing manual effort and variability, ensuring efficient operation and compliance with safety regulations by cleaning the rolls while they rotate and the machine doors are closed.
Implementation Method 1
The spray bar has at least one nozzle directed toward the rolls that is configured for spraying liquid toward at least one of the working surfaces of the rolls
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for cleaning a food-processing machine having cylindrical rolls disposed along a curve, each of the rolls having a peripheral working surface for contacting food products and an axis about which each roll rotates. A drive rail is mounted parallel to the axes of the rolls and extends the length of the rolls. A spray bar slidably mounts to the drive rail, extends adjacent the rolls, and has at least one nozzle for spraying liquid onto the working surfaces of the rolls to clean them of debris. A prime mover drives the spray bar along the drive rail parallel to the axes of the rolls while spraying the rotating rolls.