Container Cleaning System Using Rotation for External Nozzle Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container cleaning systems are inefficient and costly for quickly and thoroughly cleaning the inside and outside of large, non-symmetrical containers, requiring complex nozzle systems with moving parts and seals, which complicates the cleaning process and increases space and energy requirements.
Innovation Solution
A container cleaning system with a lockable cleaning room and a dual nozzle system, where the container is rotated to facilitate external cleaning, allowing for a fixed or movable nozzle system that can reach all surfaces without moving parts, combined with a recycling system to reduce cleaning agent consumption and a drying device for efficient use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a movable nozzle system is used to clean the outside of the container, then all external surfaces can be reached, but the system requires complex seals and flexible hose systems with moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the nozzle system around the stationary container, the patent inverts the approach by rotating the container itself while keeping the nozzle system fixed. This eliminates the need for complex moving seals and flexible hoses, as the relative motion is achieved by moving the container rather than the cleaning equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of movable nozzles with flexible hoses with a fixed nozzle system that cleans through relative container rotation. This substitution eliminates mechanical seals and flexible connections, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Device complexity
If the nozzle system is made fixed without moving parts, then the system becomes more stable and simpler, but it cannot reach all external surfaces of the container
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by inverting which component moves: instead of the nozzle system moving around the container, the container itself is rotated while the nozzle system remains fixed. This maintains system simplicity while achieving comprehensive external surface coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The container rotation mechanism acts as an intermediary that enables the fixed nozzle system to access all external surfaces. By rotating the container, the fixed nozzles can clean areas that would otherwise be inaccessible, maintaining both simplicity and versatility.
3Productivity
If the container is rotated for external cleaning, then cleaning speed increases, but additional space is required for the rotation mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The loading means is designed to serve multiple functions: it introduces containers into the cleaning system and also provides the rotation mechanism for external cleaning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate rotation equipment, saving space while maintaining high cleaning productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the container handling function with the rotation function by integrating the rotation mechanism into the loading means. This combination reduces the total space required, as the same structural elements serve both purposes.
Data Source
Figure 1~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a container-cleaning system having: a closable cleaning chamber (2); a nozzle system (11, 12) for cleaning a container (4) to be cleaned; and charging means (5) for introducing the containers (4) to be cleaned into the cleaning chamber (2) and for discharging the cleaned containers (4) from the cleaning chamber (2). The invention is characterized by container-drive means (13) which are designed such that they move the container (4) to be cleaned at least for cleaning of the exterior such that a relative movement between the outer wall of the container and the nozzle system (12) is generated. The invention further relates to a method for cleaning at least one container in a container-cleaning system.