Self-Cleaning Jet Cleaner Nozzle with Dual Fluid Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing jet cleaners for cleaning closed container interiors become soiled during use, requiring frequent disassembly and thorough cleaning to prevent dirt transfer, which is labor-intensive and costly, especially in sensitive industries like food and medicine.
Innovation Solution
A jet cleaner with a second separate liquid circuit within the lance body and spherical nozzle head, allowing for self-cleaning without disassembly, using a conventional motor and liquid supply system, with separate channels for high and low-pressure operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the nozzle body is left open for easy access during cleaning operations, then ease of operation is improved, but the nozzle body becomes soiled from dirt particles washed out of the container, requiring frequent disassembly and cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle body is divided into a sealed outer shell and an internal cleaning chamber. The sealing means (gaskets, seals) create distinct compartments that prevent dirt particles from contaminating the external surfaces of the nozzle body while allowing internal cleaning operations to proceed effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
A fluid barrier (water or cleaning solution) is introduced between the cleaning jet and the nozzle body exterior. This intermediary fluid layer prevents direct contact between dirt particles and the nozzle body surfaces, allowing the nozzle to remain sealed while still enabling effective cleaning through the barrier.
2Reliability
If the nozzle body is sealed to prevent contamination, then reliability is improved, but access for cleaning becomes difficult requiring disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system incorporates dynamic elements such as removable caps, detachable coupling parts, or flexible seals that can be temporarily opened for cleaning access and then sealed for operation. This dynamic sealing maintains reliability during cleaning while preventing contamination during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle body is pre-designed with built-in cleaning access features such as removable sections, access ports, or self-opening mechanisms that are prepared in advance. This preliminary design allows cleaning operations to be performed without complete disassembly, maintaining sealing integrity while enabling maintenance.
3Manufacturing precision
If regular disassembly and cleaning of the nozzle body is performed, then purity is improved, but productivity is reduced due to additional labor and time requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle body incorporates self-cleaning features where the cleaning jet itself helps clean the nozzle surfaces, or where waste particles are automatically flushed away by the fluid flow. This self-service capability reduces or eliminates the need for manual disassembly and cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning fluid flow is designed to continuously clean the nozzle body surfaces during operation, rather than requiring periodic stoppages for cleaning. The useful action of cleaning occurs continuously alongside the primary cleaning function, eliminating productivity losses.
4Ease of operation
If a self-cleaning mechanism using increased fluid pressure is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid supply system is designed to serve multiple functions: providing cleaning fluid to the container, enabling self-cleaning of the nozzle body, and controlling fluid pressure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate pressure control systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining self-cleaning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-cleaning function is merged with the primary cleaning fluid supply system. The same pump and fluid circuit that deliver cleaning fluid to the container also provide the pressure increase needed for nozzle self-cleaning, combining multiple functions into a single integrated system.
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 design prevents contamination, reduces maintenance needs, and ensures the jet cleaner can be reused quickly, avoiding costly disassembly and reassembly, while maintaining sterility and safety in critical applications.
Implementation Method 1
an increase in fluid pressure causes, for example, a poppet valve together with attached sealing means to lift itself off a special housing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a targeted jet cleaner for cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting, and sterilizing, in particular, predominantly closed, difficult-to-access container interiors using liquid media. The object of the invention was to create a targeted jet cleaner with a simple, cost-effective, largely maintenance-free, and wear-resistant design that can operate under high-pressure and low-pressure conditions and can be cleaned, rinsed, disinfected, and sterilized within closed containers without disassembly, even after or during the cleaning process. It is versatile and can be used in the food industry, medicine, the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and in other sectors where sterility is paramount for reasons of cleanliness and safety.The task is solved by a target jet cleaner equipped with a second fluid circuit, which is guided separately within the lance body (2) and the spherically closed lance head (3), whereby the inner lance body and the spherically closed lance head of the target jet cleaner can be cleaned after its use or simultaneously during the cleaning of a container without disassembly.