Split Fluid Jet Head and Manifold for Conveyor Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems face challenges in cleaning due to the buildup of sticky or adhesive debris between chain links and tracks, making it difficult to access and remove contaminants effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning assembly comprising a split fluid jet head and manifold that equalizes fluid pressure and distributes cleaning agents across multiple ports, allowing for improved mixing and targeted cleaning of conveyor systems by aligning veins from the split fluid jet head with inlet ports in a manifold configured to resemble chain links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single fluid jet head is used for cleaning conveyor systems, then the device complexity is low, but the cleaning effectiveness is insufficient due to unequal fluid pressure distribution and inability to reach multiple areas effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The single fluid jet head is divided into multiple separate jet heads (first, second, third, and fourth jet heads), each positioned to target specific areas of the conveyor system. This segmentation allows each jet head to focus fluid pressure on specific contamination zones, improving overall cleaning effectiveness while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple jet heads are combined with a common fluid supply system that includes a manifold and fluid distribution network. The manifold merges the fluid supply into multiple outlets that connect to each jet head, ensuring coordinated operation and equal fluid pressure distribution across all jet heads, thereby achieving effective multi-area cleaning.
2Reliability
If fluid pressure is not equalized between multiple ports, then the device complexity is low, but the fluid distribution is uneven leading to poor cleaning consistency across different areas
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure equalization mechanism is implemented through the manifold design, which ensures that fluid pressure is equalized across all ports before distribution to the jet heads. This creates equipotential conditions in the fluid system, guaranteeing uniform fluid flow and pressure to each jet head, thereby achieving consistent cleaning across all targeted areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold serves as an intermediary component between the fluid supply source and the multiple jet heads. It mediates the fluid distribution by equalizing pressure and directing flow to multiple ports, ensuring that each jet head receives equivalent fluid pressure without requiring complex individual pressure control systems at each jet head location.
3Reliability
If cleaning agents are not mixed effectively, then the device complexity is low, but the cleaning performance is reduced due to insufficient contaminant breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid mixing manifold is introduced as an intermediary component between the cleaning agent reservoir and the jet heads. This mixing manifold thoroughly mixes cleaning agents with the fluid stream before distribution, enhancing contaminant breakdown capability and cleaning performance without requiring complex mixing mechanisms at each jet head location.
4Area of stationary object
If a manifold is designed to distribute fluid to multiple ports, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs fluid distribution to multiple jet heads, pressure equalization, and fluid mixing functions. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the cleaning coverage area is expanded to multiple conveyor zones while avoiding the need for separate devices for each function, thereby managing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold is configured in a three-dimensional arrangement that distributes fluid to jet heads positioned at different locations and orientations. This spatial dimensionality allows comprehensive coverage of the conveyor system's cleaning areas, reaching multiple surfaces and angles that would be inaccessible to a single linearly arranged jet head configuration.
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 effectively breaks up and removes debris from conveyor systems by ensuring equal fluid pressure and distribution, enhancing cleaning efficiency across the mechanical chain's links and tracks.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of veins split the flow of the fluid into a plurality of flows of the fluid
Implementation Method 2
The cleaning assembly effectively breaks up and removes debris from conveyor systems
Data Source
AI summary
Cleaning assemblies, particularly for conveyor systems, are provided. For example, a cleaning assembly comprises a split fluid jet head that includes an inlet end for receipt of a flow of a fluid, an outlet end for an egress of the fluid, and a plurality of veins extending from the inlet end to the outlet end. The plurality of veins split the flow of the fluid into a plurality of flows of the fluid. The cleaning assembly also comprises a manifold that includes a body and a plurality of fluid passages defined through the body. Each fluid passage has an inlet port and an outlet port. The outlet ports are defined at various locations along the body. The manifold is configured to receive the split fluid jet head such that each vein of the plurality of veins is aligned with an inlet port of the plurality of inlet ports.