Nozzle Module with Secondary Fluid Jet for Workpiece Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing workpiece treatment devices face challenges in effectively deburring and cleaning, particularly with high-pressure liquid jets, as they often suffer from reduced range and efficiency due to high frictional forces in liquid baths, which can lead to contamination and potential engine damage in machinery.

Innovation Solution

The device employs a nozzle module with a high-pressure liquid jet and a secondary fluid jet, either gaseous or low-pressure liquid, to reduce friction and enhance the deburring effect, allowing for adjustable flow rates and nozzle positions to optimize the treatment process, including the use of annular fluid streams to shield and accelerate the primary jet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a high-pressure liquid jet is used for deburring workpieces in a liquid bath, then the deburring effect is achieved, but the frictional forces in the liquid bath reduce the range and efficiency of the jet

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeburring effectVSAvoidrange of liquid jet
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A secondary fluid jet (gas or low-pressure liquid) is introduced as an intermediary substance that flows along the primary high-pressure liquid jet. This intermediary fluid reduces the frictional forces between the primary jet and the liquid bath, thereby extending the range and maintaining the deburring effect without direct contact between the primary jet and the bath liquid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes pneumatic principles by allowing the secondary jet to be formed from gaseous fluid, which creates a low-friction boundary layer around the primary liquid jet. Alternatively, low-pressure liquid can be used to achieve similar friction-reducing effects through hydraulic means, enabling the primary jet to maintain its momentum and range in the liquid bath environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If a high-pressure liquid jet is used for cleaning workpieces, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but contamination of the workpiece with cooling lubricants and chips occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcontamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary fluid jet acts as a protective intermediary that surrounds the primary high-pressure liquid jet. This intermediary layer prevents direct contact between the primary jet and the workpiece surface, thereby reducing the risk of contamination from cooling lubricants and chips while still maintaining effective cleaning through the primary jet's impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different properties to different parts of the fluid jet system: the primary jet provides high-pressure cleaning action at the tip, while the secondary jet provides a low-friction protective sheath along the sides. This local differentiation of functional properties allows simultaneous achievement of effective cleaning and contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If the flow rate of the liquid jet is increased to improve cleaning effect, then the cleaning effect is enhanced, but the frictional forces increase and reduce the jet's range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectVSAvoidenergy loss to friction
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary fluid jet serves as an energy-protecting intermediary that reduces frictional losses between the primary jet and the liquid bath. By introducing this intermediary layer, the system can maintain higher flow rates and pressures in the primary jet without proportionally increasing energy loss to friction, thereby extending the jet's effective range while enhancing cleaning capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration increases the range and effectiveness of the high-pressure liquid jet, reducing friction and improving the acceleration of the secondary fluid jet, resulting in enhanced deburring and cleaning capabilities while minimizing contamination.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid jet or liquid flow, which runs along a high-pressure liquid jet, can be accelerated in a cleaning bath due to the Venturi effect by the high-pressure liquid jet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

the deburring effect of a high-pressure liquid jet that is applied to a liquid bath can be increased by a jet or stream of gaseous fluid is guided along the liquid jet, which reduces the frictional forces for the liquid jet in the cleaning bath

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2723508B1Device for treating workpieces
Publication Date: 2016.09.14 DUERR ECOCLEAN GMBH
  • EP2723508B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2723508B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2723508B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (100) for treating, in particular for cleaning and/or deburring, workpieces (102), comprising a nozzle module (114) having a module body (116) comprising a nozzle chamber (120). The nozzle chamber (120) comprises at least one nozzle opening (146) for generating at least one high-pressure liquid stream (148) directed at a workpiece (102). The module body (116) comprises a further nozzle chamber (124) having at least one nozzle opening (172) for generating a low-pressure liquid stream (184, 184') running at least in sections along the high-pressure liquid stream (148) and contacting same. In the device is a mechanism (128) for feeding liquid (130) under high pressure into the one nozzle chamber (120) for generating the at least one high-pressure liquid stream (148) directed at the workpiece (102). The device comprises a mechanism (154) for selectively feeding liquid (157) under low pressure or gaseous liquid (155) into the further nozzle chamber (124).