Reversible Pivoting Nozzle Head for Container Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning devices for container interiors are inefficient due to the rotational movement of the nozzle head and holder, which limits the effective area of water jet removal force, resulting in high energy consumption and operational costs.

Innovation Solution

The nozzle holder and head can be pivoted reversibly via a gear mechanism, with an adjustable pivoting angle, and the nozzle head can also be pivoted to optimize the removal area, using a disk linkage and an auxiliary rotary drive powered by pressurized water, allowing for a more efficient cleaning process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the nozzle head and nozzle holder rotate continuously to clean the container interior, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but the energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning coverage areaVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by using intermittent rotational movement of the nozzle head and nozzle holder rather than continuous rotation. The cleaning device rotates the nozzle head and holder through controlled angular ranges (e.g., 0-180 degrees) and then holds them in position, creating periodic cleaning cycles that reduce energy consumption while maintaining effective cleaning coverage through strategic positioning of water jets at different orientations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If the nozzle head and nozzle holder rotate at high speed to improve cleaning efficiency, then the cleaning speed increases, but the energy consumption increases proportionally

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning speedVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the rotational speed and angular range of the nozzle head and nozzle holder adjustable rather than fixed. The system can dynamically adapt the rotation parameters (speed, angle, direction) based on the specific cleaning requirements, container size, and deposit type, allowing optimization between cleaning speed and energy consumption for different operational scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Force

If the water jet pressure is increased to enhance removal force, then the cleaning effectiveness improves, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater jet removal forceVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by directing high-pressure water jets at specific critical areas and orientations rather than uniformly across the entire container interior. The nozzle head and holder are positioned and oriented to concentrate the high-pressure water flow on areas with heavy deposits or difficult-to-reach surfaces, maximizing the removal force where it is most needed while reducing overall energy consumption compared to uniform high-pressure application throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 performance by over 300% while reducing energy consumption and cleaning time, leading to lower operating costs and improved efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The nozzle head, like the nozzle holder of the cleaning device, is moved hydraulically by the pressurized liquid, which is used to remove the dirt on the wall, the liquid, usually water, being pressurized to about 2000 bar.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

Such cleaning devices are primarily used to loosen hard incrustations on the inner surfaces of container walls

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 3

The drive shaft and thus the nozzle holder can be pivoted in reverse via a gear

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 4

a linkage is provided according to the invention, which is designed as a disk linkage, with one crank disk being driven in rotation by the hydraulic drive, while another, performing the reversing pivoting movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical transmission: Four-Bar Linkage

Implementation Method 5

an auxiliary rotary drive being provided to drive the nozzle holder, which is powered by the supplied pressurized water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReaction force: Reaction (physics)

Data Source

PatentEP2687296B1Cleaning assembly for cleaning of the inner walls of containers
Publication Date: 2017.05.24 PAUL HAMMELMANN MASCHINENFABRIK GMBH
  • EP2687296B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2687296B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2687296B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The cleaning device has a rotatable driveshaft (5). A nozzle head (1) supporting the driveshaft is mounted for rotation about an axis extending transversely to the driveshaft. A nozzle holder (3) is mounted on the driveshaft. A nozzle (4) is held in an arm of the nozzle holder for ejecting a liquid under pressure. A gear mechanism (11) is configured for reversibly pivoting the driveshaft and nozzle head. An auxiliary drive is connected to the gear mechanism for driving the nozzle holder. An independent claim is included for a method for eliminating deposition at surface by cleaning device.