Handheld Nozzle Cleaning Apparatus Using Manual Piston Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for clearing debris from liquid application nozzles are inefficient, especially in agricultural settings where portable air compressors are not feasible, and require refilling or replacing propellant cans.
Innovation Solution
A handheld device that compresses ambient air to a higher pressure using a manually powered piston mechanism, storing it in a chamber and releasing it through a valve to dislodge debris from nozzles without the need for external power sources or refills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a portable air compressor is used to clear debris from nozzles, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the portability and ease of operation deteriorates due to size and weight constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a compact handheld unit that can be easily carried, separating the compression function from the cleaning function. The compressed air is stored in a small chamber within the handheld device, eliminating the need for large external compressors.
Solution Approach 2:
Air is compressed and stored in a chamber before the actual cleaning operation. This preliminary compression action allows the device to deliver high-pressure bursts of air for effective debris removal without requiring a large portable compressor during the cleaning moment.
2Ease of operation
If propellant cans are used to provide compressed gas, then the portability is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to depletion and need for refilling or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses ambient air as its propellant source, eliminating the need for finite propellant cans that require refilling or replacement. The system serves itself by continuously drawing in and compressing available air, ensuring unlimited operation without external supply dependencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes from using stored propellant gas to compressing ambient air on-demand. This parameter change from finite stored resource to infinite ambient resource ensures continuous availability without depletion issues.
3Ease of operation
If conventional cleaning methods (brush, tapping, blowing) are used, then the simplicity is improved, but the cleaning effectiveness deteriorates especially with small nozzles and when wearing gloves
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs pneumatic principles by using compressed air to blow debris from nozzle orifices. This pneumatic action provides effective cleaning power that surpasses manual methods while maintaining simplicity of operation through a single trigger activation.
4Reliability
If a manual piston mechanism is used to compress air, then the reliability is improved by eliminating external power sources, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piston mechanism operates in periodic cycles of compression and release, triggered by user activation. This periodic action allows the complex mechanical components to remain simple and robust, relying on repeated manual cycles rather than continuous complex control systems.
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
Provides a portable and effective means to clear debris from nozzles without the inconvenience of refilling or replacing gas supplies, ensuring reliable operation in field applications.
Implementation Method 1
compressing a volume of ambient air to a pressure sufficiently greater than ambient pressure
Implementation Method 2
The compressed air then discharges through a nozzle which focuses the air into the orifice which is to be cleaned
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld nozzle cleaning device includes a cylinder and piston disposed within the cylinder. The piston is movable between a latched position, in which air is compressed, and an unlatched position, in which air is drawn into the cylinder. The handheld nozzle cleaning device also includes a valve and a nozzle disposed at one end of the cylinder. Manual operation of the piston, defined by linear movement of the piston in a first direction, both releases the piston from the latched position and draws air into the cylinder. The compressed air flows out of the cylinder through the nozzle when the valve is opened. Also, manual operation of the piston in a second direction opposite the first direction both compresses air within the cylinder and secures the piston in the latched position.