Rotating Jet Cleaner With Telescopic Arm And Luminescence Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current automated cleaning systems for complex systems, such as tanks, lack sensors for detecting local contamination and adaptability, leading to inefficient use of resources and potential food contamination due to oversizing and inadequate cleaning control.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning system with a jet cleaner and telescopic arm equipped with a sensor device using luminescence detection and machine learning for condition-based control, allowing for targeted cleaning and real-time monitoring of contamination levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If automated cleaning systems use fixed, predefined spray patterns, then the cleaning process is standardized and reproducible, but the systems cannot adapt to varying local contamination conditions, leading to oversizing and inefficient resource usage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to contamination conditionsVSAvoidcleaning system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning system dynamically adjusts the spray pattern and nozzle positions based on real-time contamination detection. The manipulator device moves nozzles to different locations and orientations, transforming a static cleaning system into a dynamic one that adapts to the actual soiling conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that detect contamination levels and provide feedback to the control unit. This feedback loop enables the system to adjust cleaning parameters (spray pattern, nozzle position, cleaning agent application) based on actual contamination conditions, achieving adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If cleaning systems are oversized with safety margins for worst-case scenarios, then cleaning reliability is improved, but resource consumption (water, energy, time) increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies cleaning resources locally and selectively to areas with detected contamination rather than uniformly across the entire surface. The manipulator device positions nozzles precisely at contaminated locations, and the spray pattern is adjusted to target specific soiling areas, thereby maintaining cleaning reliability while dramatically reducing water and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes cleaning parameters (spray intensity, duration, nozzle position, cleaning agent concentration) based on the detected contamination level and type. This parameter adaptation allows the system to achieve reliable cleaning with minimal resource input by matching cleaning intensity to actual contamination severity rather than using fixed high-intensity parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If cleaning systems lack sensors for detecting local contamination, then the system structure remains simple, but the cleaning process cannot be optimized and excessive cleaning time is spent on already clean areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning productivityVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment through integrated contamination sensors. The sensors automatically detect soiling conditions, and the control unit autonomously adjusts the cleaning process without external intervention, thereby improving productivity while managing complexity through automated self-service functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system serves multiple functions: detecting contamination presence, determining contamination level, identifying contamination type, and monitoring cleaning progress. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive data that enables significant productivity improvements through optimized cleaning resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the nozzle is fixed in position on the rotary head, then the mechanical structure is simpler, but the jet cannot be directed in all directions to clean complex geometries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejet direction flexibilityVSAvoidmanipulator device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle is mounted on a manipulator device that provides dynamic positioning and orientation control. The manipulator can move the nozzle to different locations and rotate it to point in various directions, transforming a static nozzle arrangement into a dynamic one capable of accessing complex geometries while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 system significantly reduces cleaning time and resource usage by adapting to varying contamination conditions, ensuring thorough cleaning and minimizing contamination risks.

Implementation Method 1

the device for detecting buildup is designed as an optical detector using a luminescence effect of the buildup by light radiation emitted by the cleaning device or in the application space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLuminescence: Luminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3950159A1Cleaning system, computer program and data carrier signal
Publication Date: 2022.02.09 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
  • EP3950159A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3950159A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3950159A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A cleaning system comprising a targeted jet cleaner, which in turn comprises at least one nozzle (6) for dispensing cleaning agent in a jet, wherein the nozzle (6) is arranged on a rotating head (4) and connected to a manipulation device that can move the nozzle (6) so that the jet is directed in all directions, and wherein the rotating head (4) is further arranged at a first end of a telescopic arm (2). The cleaning system (1) comprises at least one control device for condition-based control of the cleaning process and at least one sensor device (20). The sensor device (20) comprises a contamination sensor (26) and a light source (24), wherein the sensor device (20) is connected to the control device for transmitting sensor data.Furthermore, computer programs for state-based control of a cleaning process and for self-learning optimization of the start parameters as an optimization between processes, as well as a data carrier signal.