Reusable Bore Squeegee With Graduated Fins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices for hollow-shapes, such as medical trocars and pipes, are not reusable and often leave smears and debris on the inner surfaces due to the use of absorbent materials that become saturated and abrasive methods.
Innovation Solution
A novel squeegee system using non-absorbent shape conforming flexible elements with graduated surface openings, attached to a longitudinal shaft with a cooperative sheath, effectively collects and isolates contaminants without damaging the inner surface, allowing for multiple uses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If absorbent materials are used to clean hollow-shapes, then contaminants are collected, but the materials become saturated and leave smears and debris on the inner surface
Solution Approach 1:
The squeegee element incorporates a porous absorbent material that captures contaminants while allowing the material to be cleaned and reused. The porous structure enables the material to absorb liquids and particles without becoming saturated in the same manner as traditional non-porous absorbents, maintaining surface cleanliness upon removal.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the cleaning element after single use, the invention enables recovery and reuse of the squeegee element. The element can be cleaned of collected contaminants and reused multiple times, eliminating the need for disposable devices while maintaining clean surfaces.
2Productivity
If abrasive scraping or cutting means are used to clean hollow-shapes, then contaminants are removed, but damage or scratches are inflicted on the inner surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the cleaning element from hard and abrasive to soft and flexible. The squeegee element is made of flexible material that can deform to conform to the hollow-shape inner surface, removing contaminants through adhesion and mechanical action without the hardness that causes scratching or damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The squeegee element is constructed as a flexible component that can bend and conform to the curved inner surface of the hollow-shape. This flexibility allows the element to maintain continuous contact with the surface for effective contaminant removal while preventing the rigid contact that would cause damage.
3Reliability
If disposable cleaning devices are used, then surface contamination is avoided, but multiple devices are required and waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a recovery system where the squeegee element is cleaned and reused multiple times. The element can be detached from the shaft and cleaned of accumulated contaminants, then reused for subsequent cleaning tasks, eliminating the need for continuous disposal of cleaning devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The squeegee element is designed as a universal component that can be used with different shaft configurations and applied to various hollow-shape sizes. The element maintains its cleaning function across multiple uses and can be adapted to different applications, reducing the need for multiple specialized disposable devices.
4Productivity
If a squeegee element is used for repeated cleaning, then device waste is reduced, but recontamination of the inner surface may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The squeegee element is designed to be easily detached and separated from the shaft. This extraction capability allows the element to be removed for cleaning without requiring disassembly of the entire device, enabling efficient maintenance while maintaining readiness for reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The element is designed for recovery through cleaning rather than disposal. The cleaning process removes accumulated contaminants completely, restoring the element to a clean state suitable for reuse, thereby maintaining surface cleanliness across multiple cycles.
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 efficiently cleans the inner surfaces of hollow-shapes by preventing recontamination and allowing for repeated use, reducing the need for multiple disposable devices and minimizing damage to the surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
at least two shape conforming flexible elements having or not having openings on said flexible element surface
Data Source
AI summary
A novel invention squeegee cleans in a first direction, manually or by robot, the inner surface of a bore referred to as a hollow-shape, comprising a longitudinal shaft with a distal end squeegee element, and a cooperatively aligned sheath. Said squeegee element is comprised of shape conforming flexible disks in combination with shape conforming flexible tabbed fins having incrementally sized surface openings to form an ascending or descending path to incrementally collect contaminants. From said first direction the invention exits said hollow-shape distal end, cleaning said inner surface. Said sheath is selectively moved from a first proximal position to a second distal position covering said squeegee element and isolating collected contaminants. A second opposite direction retracts said invention from said hollow-shape, with manual or robotic means, by removing said isolated contaminants preventing recontamination of said inner surface. The invention can be cleaned and reused multiple times before disposal.