Propeller Sweep-Back Angle Prevents Debris Wrapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional submersible cleaning robots face issues with foreign matter like seaweed and algae wrapping around the propeller, reducing propulsion force and stable travel, and affecting efficient high-pressure water jetting during cleaning of farmed fish nets and ship hulls.
Innovation Solution
The propeller design features a sweep-back angle at its front edge to prevent foreign matter from wrapping around, combined with a rotary shaft and cleaning nozzle unit configuration that ensures stable rotation and propulsion, including a contact prevention body to maintain efficient cleaning operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the propeller front edge is designed with a radial shape, then the propeller can generate sufficient propulsion force, but foreign matter readily wraps around the propeller reducing rotation force and stable travel
Solution Approach 1:
The front edge of the propeller blade is designed with a specific curved shape characterized by a sweep-back angle. This curvature prevents foreign matter from wrapping around the propeller while maintaining the hydrodynamic efficiency needed for propulsion. The curved surface guides water flow smoothly and prevents debris accumulation that would otherwise reduce rotation force and stable travel.
2Productivity
If the cleaning nozzle unit rotates at high speed, then efficient high-pressure water jetting is achieved, but foreign matter removal may cause wrapping around the propeller
Solution Approach 1:
The curved front edge design with sweep-back angle creates a hydrodynamic barrier that directs water and debris flow away from the propeller center. This allows the cleaning nozzle to operate at high rotation speeds for efficient cleaning while the curved geometry prevents removed foreign matter from wrapping around the propeller blades.
3Speed
If the propeller rotates at high speed to maintain propulsion force, then cleaning operations are efficient, but foreign matter wrapping reduces rotation force
Solution Approach 1:
The optimized front edge curvature with sweep-back angle reduces drag and prevents foreign matter accumulation on the propeller blades. This allows the propeller to maintain high rotation speeds without loss of rotation force, as the curved surface minimizes resistance from water and prevents debris from adhering to the blades.
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 design effectively prevents foreign matter from wrapping around the propeller, ensuring stable and efficient cleaning operations by maintaining propulsion force and preventing interference with the cleaning nozzles.
Implementation Method 1
jetting high-pressure water from a cleaning nozzle unit towards this surface of the cleaning subject item
Implementation Method 2
a propeller generating a propulsion force for urging the robot body towards the cleaning subject item surface by rotating pursuant to the rotation of the rotary shaft
Implementation Method 3
rotates in unison with this rotary shaft due to a reaction force of the jetting of high-pressure water at the surface of the cleaning subject item
Data Source
AI summary
A submersible cleaning robot cleaning a cleaning subject item by jetting high-pressure water from a cleaning nozzle unit towards a submerged cleaning subject item surface while moving along this cleaning subject item surface. The cleaning nozzle unit is mounted on a rotary shaft provided on a robot body so as to be capable of rotating freely and is configured to rotate in unison with this rotary shaft due to a reaction force of the jetting of high-pressure water at the cleaning subject item surface, and a propeller generating a propulsion force for urging the robot body towards the cleaning subject item surface by rotating pursuant to the rotation of the rotary shaft is provided on this rotary shaft. A front edge of each vane of the propeller in the direction of rotation thereof is formed so as to have a sweep-back angle preventing wrapping of foreign matter around the propeller.