Dosing Valve Nozzle Cleaning With Separate Fluid Inlet

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dosing valves for fluids, particularly those used in the dispensing of paints and varnishes, tend to clog over time, especially when volatile substances are involved, and current cleaning methods are inefficient and require large amounts of cleaning fluid, which can contaminate the product.

Innovation Solution

A dosing valve with an integrated cleaning device that uses a separate inlet for cleaning fluid, allowing targeted and efficient cleaning with minimal fluid usage, independent of the dosing process, and discharging the cleaning fluid into the filling container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external cleaning devices are used to clean the nozzle head, then cleaning can be performed, but a large amount of cleaning fluid is required and the cleaning process is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of nozzle cloggingVSAvoidcleaning fluid consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device is integrated directly into the dosing valve body, merging the cleaning function with the dosing valve structure. This eliminates the need for separate external cleaning devices and reduces cleaning fluid consumption by delivering cleaning fluid directly to the nozzle head through internal channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dosing valve cleans itself through the integrated cleaning device that can be activated independently of the dosing operation. The cleaning fluid is supplied through a separate inlet and delivered directly to the nozzle head, enabling the valve to perform its own maintenance without external intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If external cleaning devices are used to clean the nozzle head, then cleaning can be performed, but the cleaning process is time-consuming and requires transportation of external devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of nozzle cloggingVSAvoidcleaning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device is integrated directly into the dosing valve body, merging the cleaning function with the dosing valve structure. This eliminates the need for separate external cleaning devices and reduces cleaning fluid consumption by delivering cleaning fluid directly to the nozzle head through internal channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dosing valve cleans itself through the integrated cleaning device that can be activated independently of the dosing operation. The cleaning fluid is supplied through a separate inlet and delivered directly to the nozzle head, enabling the valve to perform its own maintenance without external intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If manual cleaning or external rinsing devices are used, then cleaning can be performed, but the inside of the nozzle head is difficult to access and cleaning is ineffective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidaccessibility to nozzle head interior

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A cleaning fluid conduit is introduced as an intermediary element that delivers cleaning fluid directly to the nozzle head interior through the dosing valve body. This conduit system overcomes the difficulty of accessing the nozzle head interior by providing a direct delivery path for the cleaning fluid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning device utilizes hydraulic principles by supplying pressurized cleaning fluid through a separate inlet and internal channels directly to the nozzle head. This pressurized fluid delivery system effectively cleans the interior surfaces of the nozzle head that would be inaccessible to manual cleaning methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 integrated cleaning device enables efficient and reliable operation with reduced cleaning fluid consumption, minimizing product contamination and time consumption, as the cleaning process can be performed at any time during operation without external devices.

Implementation Method 1

The cleaning device has an inlet (24) for supplying pressurised cleaning fluid (26)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressurised fluid flow: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a nozzle head (20) of the nozzle (10) for beam shaping the fluid (8)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid beam shaping:

Data Source

PatentEP4667112A1Dosing valve with cleaning device

Publication Date: 2025.12.24 DROMONT

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

A dosing valve for dispensing a fluid, the dosing valve comprising an inlet (4) and an outlet (6) for the circulation of pressurised fluid (8) to be metered, a nozzle (10) for dispensing the fluid (8), wherein the nozzle (10) has at least one outlet opening (16, 18, 19), which can be closed by means of at least one valve piston (12, 14, 15) of the dosing valve (2, 76), and a nozzle head (20) of the nozzle (10) for steel moulding of the fluid (8), wherein the dosing valve (2, 76) has a cleaning device (22) for cleaning the nozzle (10).