Beverage Crate Cleaning Device with Rotating Spray Heads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for cleaning beverage crates face challenges in effectively removing dirt, particularly fine-grained particles, and in self-cleaning processes, with complex and costly arrangements of movable nozzles and inadequate drainage systems.

Innovation Solution

A device with a housing and base featuring separate flow and return channels, where the return channel has drainage openings for contaminant discharge and a cleaning unit with rotatable spray heads that allow all-direction cleaning, enabling efficient self-cleaning and removal of contaminants without the need for complex nozzle arrangements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If movable cleaning nozzles or nozzles on movable supply lines are used for internal cleaning, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidnozzle arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The internal cleaning system is segmented into multiple stationary nozzles distributed at different locations and angles within the housing, each responsible for cleaning specific areas. This eliminates the need for complex movable mechanisms while maintaining comprehensive cleaning coverage through strategic placement of simple stationary components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If coarse filters are used in the return channel to ensure adequate flow cross-section, then flow capacity is maintained, but fine dirt particles cannot be effectively removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow cross-section capacityVSAvoidfine particle removal capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A filter device with porous structure is installed in the return channel to enable effective removal of fine dirt particles. The porous material provides sufficient flow cross-section while maintaining the ability to capture fine contaminants, resolving the contradiction between flow capacity and filtration precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Productivity

If drainage openings are added to the return channel floor, then contaminant removal is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontaminant removal efficiencyVSAvoiddrainage system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The return channel floor serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, guides the cleaning agent flow, and incorporates drainage openings for contaminant removal. By making the floor multi-functional, the system achieves improved contaminant removal without adding separate complex drainage structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If stationary nozzles with rotatable spray heads are used, then all-direction cleaning is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning coverageVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using expensive rotatable spray heads, the system employs stationary nozzles with asymmetric positioning and fixed spray angles. The nozzles are strategically placed and oriented to cover all necessary areas, achieving comprehensive cleaning coverage through asymmetric stationary arrangement rather than expensive rotational mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 device achieves comprehensive and cost-effective cleaning of both beverage crates and the internal device surfaces, effectively removing dirt and contaminants, including fine particles, through a simple and efficient self-cleaning mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

the floor in the area of the return channel preferably has drainage openings directed downwards for the drainage of the cleaning agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity drainage: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

at least one first flow channel delimited by the base is provided in an interior space of the housing, along which the crates are moved in a conveying direction with the aid of a cleaning agent flowing through this flow channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic flow: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP1967296B1Device for cleaning crates and base for this purpose
Publication Date: 2015.11.11 LUDWIG BOHRER MASCHENBAU
  • EP1967296B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1967296B1 patent drawingFigure 2~6
  • EP1967296B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The arrangement has a first flow channel (8) bounded by the floor (6) of a housing, along which the boxes move with the aid of a cleaning agent flowing through the channel, a return channel (12) for contaminated cleaning agent and a self-cleaning unit with a number of cleaning nozzles. At least one nozzle has a stationary base body and a rotary spray head or spray head from which cleaning agent can exit on all sides.