Cleaning Fluid Flow Control for Low-Consumption Washer Chambers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning devices for medical devices and facilities are inefficient in terms of space, media consumption, and batch times, particularly when handling large and bulky items, as they often require significant water and chemical usage without optimal fluid circulation control.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a control element and flow channel system that allows selective release and blocking of cleaning fluid flow between the chamber floor and pump sump, enabling reduced consumption, optimized batch times, and minimized space requirements through a rotatable or slidably movable control element with flow channels that reduce turbulence and ensure efficient fluid circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cleaning fluid is continuously circulated through the cleaning chamber, then cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but media consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control element periodically switches between open and closed positions, allowing cleaning fluid to flow through the chamber during cleaning phases and blocking flow during non-cleaning phases. This periodic control enables the system to maintain cleaning effectiveness when needed while preventing unnecessary media consumption during other operational phases.
2Productivity
If the control element remains in the open position for continuous fluid flow, then cleaning efficiency is maintained, but batch times increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is designed to be dynamically movable between open and closed positions based on operational requirements. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize batch times by blocking flow during phases where cleaning is not required, while maintaining cleaning efficiency when the control element is opened during necessary cleaning operations.
3Ease of operation
If the control element is designed to be movable between open and closed positions, then fluid flow control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is designed to operate automatically based on the operational state of the cleaning device, without requiring manual intervention. The element self-regulates fluid flow by responding to system conditions, which simplifies operation while the mechanical design keeps the added complexity minimal through a straightforward movable structure.
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 achieves reduced media consumption, optimized batch times, and minimal space requirements, allowing for efficient cleaning and disinfection of large items with minimal water and chemical usage, while maintaining effective fluid circulation and turbulence reduction.
Implementation Method 1
a control element arranged in the housing such that it can be moved between an open position and a closed position, the housing or the control element having at least one flow channel for conducting the cleaning fluid, the flow channel establishing a fluid connection between the first housing opening and the second housing opening of the control element when the control element is in the open position, wherein the housing and the control element blocks the fluidic connection between the first housing opening and the second housing opening of the housing in the closed position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (106) for controlling a flow of a cleaning fluid between an outlet area (308) and an inlet area, the device (106) having a housing (412) with a first housing opening (414) for coupling the housing (412) with the outlet area (308) and a second housing opening for coupling the housing (412) to the inlet area and a control element (410) movably arranged in the housing (412) between an open position and a closed position, the housing (412) or the control element (410) has at least one flow channel (500) for conducting the cleaning fluid, wherein the flow channel in the open position of the control element (410) provides a fluidic connection between the first housing opening (414) and the second housing opening of the housing (412) and the control element ( 410) in the closed position the fluidic connection between the first housing opening (414) and the second n Body opening of body (412) blocked.