Electric Linear Actuator Punch Plate for Wine Cap Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of manually punching down a wine cap during fermentation is labor-intensive, and existing pneumatic tools are inefficient due to the need for compressed air, resulting in high operating costs.
Innovation Solution
A punch down apparatus equipped with an electric linear actuator and a telescopic tube assembly that reciprocally moves a punch plate to compress the wine cap, powered by a battery and controlled for adjustable stroke length and speed, reducing manual labor and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual punching is used, then the apparatus complexity is low, but the productivity is low and labor intensity is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical punching with an electric linear actuator that uses electromagnetic conversion to drive the punching plate, thereby increasing punching speed while keeping the overall apparatus structure simple and manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is divided into independent functional modules including the frame assembly, track assembly, carriage assembly, and actuator assembly, allowing each component to be optimized separately while maintaining overall system simplicity
2Productivity
If pneumatic tools are used, then the productivity is improved, but the use of energy increases due to compressed air requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes pneumatic systems with an electric linear actuator that directly converts electrical energy to mechanical motion, eliminating the need for compressed air generation and distribution infrastructure, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining high punching speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the compressed air system from the punching mechanism, using only the essential electric actuator component to perform the punching function, thus removing the energy-intensive air compression and delivery subsystem
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed stroke length is used, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable stroke length and speed settings on the electric linear actuator, transforming the punching system from a fixed-parameter device to a dynamically adjustable one, allowing adaptation to different fermentation bin sizes and cap depths without increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables modification of operational parameters including stroke length and punching speed through controls on the electric actuator, allowing the same apparatus to adapt to various fermentation scenarios by changing these parameters rather than requiring physical reconfiguration
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 automates the process of punching down the wine cap, reducing labor and operational costs while maintaining efficient operation, allowing for precise control of the punching action.
Implementation Method 1
The electric motor is adapted to telescopically move the thrust tube relative to the main tube
Implementation Method 2
The actuator assembly includes a punch plate arranged downwardly of the frame and adapted to contact and punch the wine cap
Data Source
AI summary
A punch down apparatus for punching a wine cap of a wine residing inside a fermentation bin is disclosed. The punch down apparatus includes a frame assembly having a frame coupled to a plurality of legs supporting the frame on a ground surface, a track assembly supported on the frame and adapted to slide relative to the frame in a first direction. In addition, the punch down apparatus includes a carriage assembly mounted on the track assembly and adapted to slide relative to the track assembly in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and an actuator assembly attached to the carriage assembly and adapted to move along with the carriage assembly. The carriage assembly includes a punch plate arranged downwardly of the frame and adapted to contact and punch the wine cap, and a linear actuator adapted to reciprocally move the punch plate in a vertical direction.