Cleaning Vessel with Segmented Secondary Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning methods for rotatable mixing attachments, such as those used by tradespeople, are inefficient as they leave residue on the attachment, which sets over time, requiring additional time and effort to clean, and existing solutions do not effectively separate material from the attachment during cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning vessel with a main chamber and secondary chambers, where rotation of the attachment creates a rotational flow of fluid, directing material from the main chamber into secondary chambers, and radial vanes on the main chamber engage with an outer casing to define these chambers, allowing effective separation of material from the attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the mixing attachment is cleaned immediately after use, then the material is removed before it sets, but the time available to use the plaster before it sets is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning vessel is divided into a main chamber for cleaning and separate secondary chambers for collecting removed material. This segmentation allows the cleaning process to occur in one chamber while material is automatically separated and stored in other chambers, enabling efficient cleaning without losing working time on the plaster.
2Productivity
If the attachment is placed in a bucket of water and rotated, then a significant amount of material is removed, but residue remains on the attachment requiring additional wiping time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the removed material from the cleaning water through centrifugal force generated by rotation. The material is separated from the water and deposited into secondary chambers, effectively taking out the residue that would otherwise remain on the attachment or contaminate the cleaning water.
3Ease of operation
If the bucket is re-used multiple times, then it becomes more convenient, but a larger layer of material builds up on the base requiring frequent emptying
Solution Approach 1:
The vessel segments the collection space into a main chamber for cleaning and multiple secondary chambers for material collection. As material accumulates in the secondary chambers, they can be individually emptied without affecting the main cleaning chamber, allowing the vessel to be reused multiple times without significant material buildup.
4Productivity
If material falls to the bottom of the bucket during cleaning, then it is removed from the attachment, but rotation stirs up the material which redeposits on the attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention continuously extracts material from the cleaning water through centrifugal separation. As material settles to the bottom of the main chamber, the rotational flow directs it through openings into secondary chambers, preventing redeposition on the attachment while maintaining continuous cleaning effectiveness.
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 design allows for efficient removal and accumulation of material in secondary chambers, reducing the time needed for cleaning and preventing residue from re-depositing on the attachment, enabling multiple uses without significant buildup.
Implementation Method 1
rotation of the part causes rotational flow of fluid in the main chamber
Implementation Method 2
the radial vanes engage an inner surface of the outer casing to define the secondary chambers
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A cleaning vessel (10) comprising a main chamber (12) into which can be inserted a part (34) for cleaning and one or more secondary chambers (14). An opening (30) is provided in the main chamber (12) associated with each secondary chamber (14) such that the main chamber (12) is in fluid communication with each secondary chamber (14). Rotation of the part (34) causes rotational flow of fluid in the main chamber (12) and each opening (30) is oriented such that material entrained in the rotating fluid passes from the main chamber (12) into the associated secondary chamber (14).