Multi-Chamber Ultrasonic Cleaning Apparatus for Sequential Fluid Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning and sterilization processes for infant bottles and other equipment are laborious, inefficient, and prone to contamination, with dishwashers often leaving stains and failing to fully clean internal surfaces, and requiring excessive water and chemical treatments.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus with a multi-chamber reservoir and fluid-distribution system that allows for sequential use of cleaning fluid, minimizing fluid volume and risk of contamination, combined with conduits for effective air removal and ultrasonic vibration transmission, and an optional steam generator for sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a single large cleaning reservoir is used, then sufficient cleaning fluid volume is available, but the apparatus becomes too large for portable table-top use
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning reservoir is divided into multiple chambers that can be sequentially filled and emptied. This segmentation allows the same volume of cleaning fluid to be reused multiple times across different chambers, reducing the total fluid volume needed while maintaining effective cleaning capability in a compact apparatus
2Productivity
If cleaning fluid is transferred directly through a pump, then fluid distribution between chambers is efficient, but the cleaning fluid becomes contaminated by contact with the pump
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is extracted from the cleaning fluid path and placed in a separate location. Instead of pumping cleaning fluid directly, the system uses a separate fluid distribution system that draws fluid from reservoir chambers without direct pump contact, preventing contamination while maintaining distribution efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
A separate fluid distribution mechanism acts as an intermediary between the reservoir chambers and the cleaning process. This intermediary system transfers fluid without requiring the pump to be in direct contact with the cleaning fluid, thus maintaining fluid purity while enabling efficient distribution
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional washing and sterilizing processes are used, then thorough cleaning is achieved, but excessive water and chemical treatments are required
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning fluid is continuously reused across multiple chambers through the sequential filling and emptying process. Each chamber receives the same cleaning fluid in sequence, allowing one volume of fluid to perform multiple cleaning cycles, thereby reducing overall water and chemical consumption while maintaining cleaning quality
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding cleaning fluid after a single use, the system recovers and reuses the same fluid across multiple chambers. The fluid is emptied from one chamber and transferred to the next, maximizing the utility of each unit of cleaning fluid and minimizing waste
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 apparatus provides a compact, efficient, and contamination-free cleaning process that reduces water and chemical usage, effectively cleans and sterilizes vessels with minimal handling, and can be used as a portable tabletop device.
Implementation Method 1
at least one ultrasonic generator adapted to impart ultrasonic vibrations to the chambers of the cleaning reservoir
Implementation Method 2
an air extraction means associated with the conduit for providing an air escape pathway via the open end to remove air trapped in an inverted vessel
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus with a cleaning reservoir having a plurality of chambers, which are selectably fillable with cleaning fluid. The chambers of the multi-chamber reservoir are fluidly interconnectable, the apparatus further comprising a fluid distribution pump and a controller for sequentially controlling a fluid flow between the chambers during an ultrasonic cleaning cycle. Such a multi-chamber reservoir has the advantage of reducing the total volume of fluid required to clean vessels in the reservoir, since the cleaning process can be performed in a staged or sequential procedure, and the cleaning and/or rinsing fluid reused in each chamber, allowing the apparatus to be more compact.