Canister Coupling Device Rotating Cleaning Lance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices for canisters with inner lid closures for crop protection products and liquid fertilizers lack effective cleaning mechanisms, particularly for ensuring thorough cleaning without risking the canister becoming loose during manual rotation, and lack precise liquid removal and measurement capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with a rotatable cleaning lance driven by an electric motor, combined with a threaded spindle and sliding track, allows for thorough cleaning of the canister interior and exterior, and incorporates a weighing device with strain gauges and an electronic control unit for precise liquid measurement and automated operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual rotation of the canister is used to clean the interior wall, then cleaning coverage is improved, but the risk of the canister becoming loose increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the canister manually to achieve cleaning coverage, the patent inverts the approach by rotating the cleaning lance automatically. The cleaning lance is rotated about its longitudinal axis by an actuator, allowing the cleaning fluid to impinge on all points of the inner wall while the canister remains stationary and securely coupled.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical rotation of the canister with an automated rotational mechanism. An actuator (such as an electric motor) is coupled to the cleaning lance to automatically rotate it about its longitudinal axis, eliminating the need for manual intervention and the associated risk of loosening the canister coupling.
2Productivity
If automated actuation is used for cleaning lance movement, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator serves multiple functions: it moves the cleaning lance into and out of the canister, and it rotates the cleaning lance about its longitudinal axis. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining high cleaning efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the cleaning lance movement and rotation functions into a single integrated actuator mechanism. The actuator is coupled to the cleaning lance in such a way that it can perform both linear movement (insertion/extraction) and rotational movement, merging multiple functions into one component to minimize complexity.
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 thorough and efficient cleaning of canisters without manual twisting risks, ensures precise liquid removal, and allows for automated operation, improving safety and accuracy in handling crop protection products and fertilizers.
Implementation Method 1
a weighing device with strain gauges and an electronic control unit for precise liquid measurement
Data Source
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AI summary
Coupling device (10) for canisters (12), in particular for canisters with an inner lid closure for a closed transfer system for plant protection products and/or liquid fertilizers, comprising a housing (32) with an inlet for coupling an outlet opening of a canister, with an outlet for connecting to a mixing device and/or a storage tank, with valve means for opening and closing a flow connection from the inlet to the outlet, and with a cleaning lance (24), wherein the cleaning lance (24) is retractable into the canister (12) when the canister (12) is coupled, wherein the cleaning lance (24) is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the housing (32) and in a state that is at least partially retracted into the canister (12).