Eccentric Outlet Dispensing Device for Adjustable Cleaning Intensity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for dispensing mixtures, such as steam suction devices, are cumbersome due to the weight of attached fluid containers, making precise guidance difficult and leading to user fatigue, and lack the ability to adapt cleaning intensity to contamination levels.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a line for guiding compressed air, with a valve system to control the air and fluid flow, allowing for a mixed compressed air-fluid mixture to be dispensed eccentrically, enabling adjustable cleaning intensity and efficient removal of dirt particles and cleaning liquid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a fluid reservoir is attached to the handle, then the device can dispense cleaning fluid, but the user's arm fatigues quickly due to increased weight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning fluid capacityVSAvoidhandle weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the fluid reservoir from the handle and relocates it to a separate, mobile container that can be positioned on the floor or mounted on a cart. This separation removes the weight burden from the user's arm while maintaining adequate fluid capacity for cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a handheld configuration to a floor-standing or wall-mounted configuration, moving the device from the horizontal dimension (handheld) to the vertical dimension (floor-standing). This dimensional change eliminates arm fatigue while preserving cleaning functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If a fluid reservoir is attached to the handle, then the device can dispense cleaning fluid, but it becomes difficult to guide the device precisely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning fluid capacityVSAvoidguidance precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By extracting the fluid reservoir from the handle, the patent restores balance and maneuverability to the handheld component. The separated reservoir system allows precise guidance of the cleaning device without the destabilizing effect of an attached weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If compressed air and fluid are mixed in fixed proportions, then the mixing process is simple, but the cleaning intensity cannot be adapted to different contamination levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing system complexityVSAvoidcleaning intensity adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates adjustable valves or flow control mechanisms that allow dynamic modification of the compressed air-to-fluid ratio. This enables adaptation of cleaning intensity to match varying contamination levels while maintaining a relatively simple mixing system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables change of flow rate parameters for both compressed air and fluid independently, allowing the system to adapt cleaning intensity by adjusting these parameters according to the degree of contamination without significantly increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If the outlet device is fixed along the longitudinal axis, then the structure is simple, but the mixture cannot be dispensed eccentrically for optimal cleaning coverage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutlet device structureVSAvoidcleaning coverage efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an asymmetric outlet device configuration where the spray nozzle is positioned eccentrically relative to the longitudinal axis of the compressed air line. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes cleaning coverage by directing the mixture toward the surface at an optimal angle while maintaining relatively simple structural construction.

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 reduces user fatigue by distributing weight more evenly, allows for precise control of cleaning intensity based on contamination, and effectively removes dirt and cleaning liquid, improving cleaning efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The released fluid is captured and entrained by the compressed air flow in the connecting flange and/or the outlet device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEntrainment: Entrainment

Data Source

PatentEP3568241B1Device for dispensing a mixture
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 GMEILBAUER ENGELBERT
  • EP3568241B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3568241B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3568241B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for dispensing a mixture, which can be produced from at least one gas flow and at least one fluid flow, onto a surface (50). The mixture (14) can be fed to a device (7) for dispensing the mixture (14). The device (7) for dispensing the mixture (14) comprises a gas-conducting line (2), in the interior (39) of which there axially extends a fluid-conducting line (5). The gas-conducting line (2) and the fluid-conducting line (5) are designed as an outlet device (4) for dispensing the mixture (14). The outlet device (4) is furthermore designed so as to be rotatable eccentrically with respect to and around the longitudinal axis (12) of the gas-conducting line (2), and furthermore so as to have a body (59) for cleaning the surface (50).