Brush Mandrel Aperture Design for Uniform Cleaning Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional substrate cleaning brushes experience variability in fluid flow through the mandrel, which negatively impacts contaminant removal and cleaning efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The design of a brush mandrel with a bore configured to provide uniform aperture flow rates and a fastener to attach the mandrel to a support arm, ensuring consistent fluid distribution across the brush body for improved cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional mandrels are used, then the brush can deliver substances to the substrate, but the fluid flow through the mandrel is variable which negatively impacts cleaning efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidfluid flow uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mandrel is segmented into multiple aperture locations distributed across its surface. By dividing the fluid delivery function into multiple discrete apertures, the system achieves more uniform fluid distribution across the brush body, eliminating the variability associated with single-channel or unsegmented mandrels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the mandrel surface are equipped with apertures positioned to deliver fluid to specific local areas of the brush body. This local quality approach ensures that each region of the brush receives appropriate fluid flow, improving overall cleaning uniformity across the substrate surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If conventional mandrels are used, then the brush structure can be assembled, but pressurization and leaking issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidmandrel pressurization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing elements are pre-installed in grooves on the mandrel surface before the brush body is attached. This preliminary action ensures that sealing pathways are established in advance, preventing pressurization and leaking issues that occur when sealing components are improperly positioned during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Sealing elements act as intermediaries between the mandrel and the brush body, creating a sealed interface that prevents fluid leakage. These intermediary components mediate the connection between parts, ensuring pressure containment while allowing for assembly and disassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250229300A1Brushes and systems with improved brush mandrels

Publication Date: 2025.07.17 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

An example brush for cleaning of a substrate with a fluid, the brush comprising a polymeric brush body comprising one or more contact surfaces for cleaning the substrate, a mandrel configured to support the polymeric brush body and comprising a plurality of apertures distributed over a surface of the mandrel, and a bore configured to supply the polymeric brush body with fluid via the plurality of apertures, the bore having a diameter sufficient to supply the plurality of apertures with substantially uniform aperture flow rates.