Rotating Cleaning Media for Optical Instrument Surface Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cleaning transparent surfaces of optical instruments within instrument containers are inefficient, as they often require extensive time and can lead to re-contamination, especially in environments with particles and impurities.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a rotating motion of a cleaning media within the instrument container, where the fluid and cleaning media are supplied to continuously clean the surface, utilizing a circular container design that minimizes particle movement and ensures a uniform bed of cleaning particles wipes the surface effectively, similar to a wiper blade.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cleaning media is supplied to clean the transparent surface, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the time required for cleaning increases and re-contamination may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous cleaning by maintaining a constant flow of cleaning media across the transparent surface. The cleaning media is supplied continuously through nozzles positioned at strategic locations, ensuring that the surface is constantly exposed to fresh cleaning particles without interruption, thus preventing re-contamination and reducing total cleaning time.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system employs dynamic movement of cleaning media particles across the surface rather than static cleaning. The fluid flow carries cleaning media in a controlled manner, and the system can adjust flow rates and patterns to optimize cleaning action, making the cleaning process adaptive and efficient.
2Reliability
If a high amount of cleaning media is supplied, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies cleaning media locally and selectively to the transparent surface rather than flooding the entire container. Nozzles are positioned to target specific areas requiring cleaning, and the flow is directed precisely at the surface, minimizing unnecessary consumption of cleaning media while maintaining effective cleaning action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes hydraulic principles to efficiently deliver cleaning media through controlled fluid flow. By optimizing the fluid dynamics and pressure distribution, the system achieves effective cleaning with minimal media consumption, using the fluid carrier to transport cleaning particles precisely where needed.
3Reliability
If the instrument container is designed for rotating motion, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a circular container design that naturally facilitates rotating motion and uniform distribution of cleaning media. The curved geometry allows the cleaning particles to follow circular paths, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the transparent surface from multiple angles without requiring complex mechanical cleaning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating motion capability serves multiple functions: it enhances cleaning coverage, facilitates uniform distribution of cleaning media, and can be integrated with other instrument operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
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 approach allows for continuous and effective cleaning of the transparent surfaces with a low influx of cleaning media, reducing the time required and preventing re-contamination, while also allowing for simultaneous use with UV-light and turbidity sensors for multiple functions.
Implementation Method 1
By supplying fluid inside the instrument container such that the liquid together with the cleaning media are brought into rotating motion
Implementation Method 2
the cleaning media forms essentially uniform bed during its rotation and, thus, it wipes the transparent surface to be cleaned quite similarly as a wiper blade
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
An arrangement and method for mechanical cleaning of an active surface (4,17-20) of an instrument (5) in touch with liquid. The active surface of the instrument is exposed to cleaning media (11), which consists of separate, moving particles, enclosed into an instrument container. The motion of the cleaning media is rotational and achieved and maintained by directing an influx (9) parallel to the direction of motion (8) of the cleaning media. The influx may contain gas, liquid or mixture of gas and liquid. The cleaning media wipes clean the at least one active instrument surface.