Adjustable Nozzle Carrier for Construction Machine Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing construction machines for conveying thick materials face challenges in efficiently removing adhering materials during operations, which can lead to reduced efficiency and increased maintenance needs.

Innovation Solution

The construction machine is equipped with a cleaning device that includes a support structure and an adjustable nozzle carrier with multiple nozzle devices, allowing for thorough cleaning of the machine's interior and components using a cleaning fluid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cleaning device with fixed nozzle positioning is used, then the cleaning operation is simple, but the cleaning effectiveness is insufficient for thorough removal of adhering thick material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle carrier is made adjustable relative to the support structure, allowing the nozzles to be repositioned to different locations and angles. This dynamic positioning capability enables thorough cleaning of various surfaces including the storage container interior and external components, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and device simplicity by introducing controlled adjustability rather than complete complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If multiple nozzles are added to cover all cleaning areas, then cleaning coverage is improved, but the consumption of cleaning fluid increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning coverage areaVSAvoidcleaning fluid consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable nozzle carrier allows a limited number of nozzles to be repositioned and reoriented to cover different cleaning areas sequentially or simultaneously as needed. This dynamic positioning enables comprehensive cleaning coverage without requiring a fixed array of nozzles for every possible surface, thereby reducing overall fluid consumption while maintaining thorough cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cleaning device is integrated permanently into the construction machine, then the cleaning function is always available, but the machine complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning function availabilityVSAvoidmachine structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device with its adjustable nozzle carrier is designed as a multi-functional unit that can clean various parts of the construction machine including the storage container interior, external surfaces, and components. This universal cleaning capability is achieved through a relatively simple adjustable structure rather than multiple dedicated cleaning systems, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effective removal of adhering thick materials, improving the machine's operational efficiency and reducing maintenance requirements, while also minimizing cleaning fluid consumption.

Implementation Method 1

The nozzle carrier has at least one nozzle device (8) for forming a liquid jet of cleaning fluid for cleaning operations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid jet: Jet

Data Source

PatentEP4563250A1Construction machine, retrofit kit and method
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 PUTZMEISTER ENG GMBH
  • EP4563250A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4563250A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4563250A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a construction machine (1) for conveying thick material, wherein the construction machine (1) has: a storage space (1) for storing thick material to be conveyed for a conveying operation of the construction machine (1) and a storage container (3) partially delimiting the storage space (2) on the inside, wherein the storage container (3) has a filling opening (4) for filling the thick material to be stored into the storage space (2), and a cleaning device (5) through which a cleaning liquid can flow for a cleaning operation of the construction machine (1), wherein the cleaning device (5) has: a support structure (6) for arrangement on the filling opening (4), and a nozzle carrier (7) which is adjustable relative to the support structure (6), wherein the nozzle carrier (7) has at least one nozzle device (8) for forming a liquid jet of cleaning liquid for the cleaning operation.