Nozzle Cleaning via Colliding Liquid Streams

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional nozzle cleaning apparatuses face difficulties in fully removing discharge substances from the vicinity of the distal end opening, leading to unstable application amounts and shapes, and require manual, skill-intensive cleaning processes.

Innovation Solution

A nozzle cleaning apparatus with a cleaning tank and attachment that uses colliding streams of cleaning liquid from the nozzle and an outer ejection port to effectively clean the nozzle, particularly the distal end, by creating a turbulent flow and promoting bubble formation for enhanced cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If high-pressure cleaning liquid is supplied to the nozzle, then cleaning pressure is improved, but cleaning completeness of distal end opening deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning pressureVSAvoidcleaning completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning function is divided into two independent cleaning liquid outlets: one for supplying cleaning liquid to the nozzle interior, and another for supplying cleaning liquid to the exterior. This segmentation allows each outlet to be optimized for its specific cleaning task, with the second outlet specifically targeting the distal end opening area that the first outlet cannot effectively reach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A cleaning attachment is introduced as an intermediary component between the cleaning liquid outlet and the nozzle. This attachment includes a cleaning chamber that receives cleaning liquid from the second outlet and directs it toward the nozzle's distal end opening, enabling effective cleaning of areas that would otherwise be inaccessible to direct high-pressure spraying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual cleaning with brush is performed, then cleaning completeness is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning completenessVSAvoidcleaning efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning system performs self-service cleaning by automatically supplying cleaning liquid to both the interior and exterior of the nozzle through the two cleaning liquid outlets. The system cleans itself without requiring manual intervention with brushes or other cleaning tools, thereby maintaining high cleaning completeness while dramatically improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical cleaning process using brushes is replaced by an automated fluid-based cleaning system. High-pressure cleaning liquid is used to substitute for manual brushing actions, eliminating the need for skilled operators while maintaining effective cleaning of the nozzle interior and distal end opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If nozzle inner diameter is reduced for small application target, then application precision is improved, but cleaning difficulty deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication precisionVSAvoidcleaning ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning approach transitions from a one-dimensional internal cleaning method to a two-dimensional approach by adding external cleaning capability. The second cleaning liquid outlet provides cleaning from the exterior dimension, specifically targeting the distal end opening area that is difficult to access from the interior, thereby making cleaning of small-bore nozzles feasible without compromising application precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 reliably removes discharge substances from the nozzle's distal end, ensuring stable application and reducing the need for manual cleaning by utilizing a pressurized cleaning liquid system that collides within the cleaning chamber, enhancing cleaning efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a cleaning liquid supply means which supplies a cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

uses colliding streams of cleaning liquid from the nozzle and an outer ejection port to effectively clean the nozzle, particularly the distal end, by creating a turbulent flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 3

promoting bubble formation for enhanced cleaning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBubble formation: Bubble

Data Source

PatentUS11529643B2Nozzle cleaning apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.12.20 NHK SPRING CO LTD

AI summary

A nozzle cleaning apparatus has one cleaning liquid outlet to which a nozzle is attached, and the other cleaning liquid outlet to which a cleaning attachment is attached. The cleaning attachment includes a nozzle cover, and a cleaning holder attached to the nozzle cover. A cleaning chamber is formed in the nozzle cover. A cleaning liquid inflow chamber, an outer cleaning liquid ejection port, and a cleaning liquid discharge hole are formed in the cleaning holder. A cleaning liquid ejected in a first direction from the nozzle and a cleaning liquid ejected in a second direction from the outer cleaning liquid ejection portion toward the nozzle collide with each other near discharge portions inside the cleaning chamber.