Side-Mounted Ultrasonic Cleaner for Narrow Analysis Racks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic cleaners are not suitable for incorporation in narrow spaces within automatic analysis devices, as they either require large hardware changes, induce liquid surface sway and fluctuations, or fail to generate sufficient ultrasonic cavitation for effective nozzle cleaning, particularly for nozzles with diameters of 1 mm or less.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic cleaner with a cleaning tank and ultrasonic transducers installed in the side surface, featuring a through hole and a movable cover that minimizes liquid surface sway and fluctuations, allowing for strong ultrasonic wave irradiation of nozzle outer peripheries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a piezoelectric element is installed directly on the bottom surface or side surface of a cleaning tank with a smaller area, then the cleaning rack can be made compact for narrow spaces, but the amplitude of ultrasonic waves is insufficient to generate adequate cavitation for effective nozzle cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from installing the piezoelectric element on the bottom surface (2D plane) to installing it on the side surface with a protruding structure that extends into the liquid (3D space). This dimensional change allows the ultrasonic wave source to be positioned closer to the nozzle tip end, concentrating the ultrasonic energy in a smaller volume while maintaining sufficient amplitude for effective cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a localized ultrasonic wave generation zone by positioning the piezoelectric element and its protruding structure specifically at the location where the nozzle tip end will be placed. This local concentration of ultrasonic energy ensures that the cavitation effect is maximized precisely where needed (at the nozzle tip) rather than distributing energy uniformly across the entire cleaning tank bottom.
2Manufacturing precision
If ultrasonic waves are used to clean the outer periphery of the nozzle, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but liquid surface sway and fluctuations occur causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ultrasonic wave generation function from the bulk liquid volume and concentrates it at a specific localized position (the protruding structure on the side surface). This allows the ultrasonic waves to be generated precisely at the nozzle cleaning location without propagating through the entire liquid volume, thereby avoiding widespread liquid surface sway and fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by positioning the ultrasonic wave source specifically at the nozzle tip end location, creating a localized cavitation zone only where the nozzle needs cleaning. This prevents the ultrasonic energy from disturbing the liquid surface over large areas, thus maintaining overall liquid level stability while achieving effective nozzle cleaning.
3Manufacturing precision
If a cleaning head is inserted from above the liquid surface to vibrate in the liquid, then ultrasonic cavitation is generated for cleaning, but the liquid surface sways causing liquid level fluctuations and scattering
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting a cleaning head from above the liquid surface (top-down approach), the patent inverts the approach by positioning the ultrasonic wave source on the side surface with a protruding structure that extends into the liquid from the side. This inversion allows the ultrasonic waves to be generated laterally at the nozzle location without disturbing the liquid surface from above, thereby eliminating liquid surface sway and fluctuations.
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 solution enables effective cleaning of nozzles in narrow spaces with minimal liquid surface disturbances, ensuring high cleaning efficiency and maintaining measurement accuracy by preventing contamination accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic transducer including a piezoelectric element and a front mass
Implementation Method 2
cavitation is generated by ultrasonic waves (which is a phenomenon that bubbles are generated and extinct due to a pressure difference generated in the liquid)
Implementation Method 3
the front mass is inserted in the through hole, a cover is installed so as to cover an upper side of a tip end surface of the front mass
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 2D~2F
AI summary
Provided is an ultrasonic cleaner including a cleaning tank including a liquid storage portion for storing a liquid, and an ultrasonic transducer including a piezoelectric element and a front mass, wherein the cleaning tank is provided, in its side surface portion, with a through hole having opening portions on the outer wall surface of the cleaning tank and on the inner wall surface of the liquid storage portion, the front mass is inserted in the through hole, a cover is installed so as to cover the upper side of the tip end surface of the front mass, and the cover is movable at least in an upward direction. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic cleaner structured suitably for being incorporated in a narrow space such as in a conveyance rack and capable of irradiating the outer peripheral portion of a nozzle with a strong ultrasonic wave, while hardly inducing liquid surface sway, liquid level fluctuations and mists.