Common Spray Pump Wash Sequence for Fluid Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid spray systems face challenges in transitioning between different spray fluids without cross-contamination, requiring thorough washing and reconnection, which is time-consuming and solvent-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for washing a common spray pump shared by multiple fluids, utilizing a controlled sequence of solvent recirculation and purging to efficiently switch between fluid sources, ensuring cleanliness and minimizing downtime and solvent usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single common pump is used to spray multiple different materials, then device complexity is reduced, but cross-contamination between fluids occurs and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary washing actions before switching to a new fluid. The pump automatically executes a wash sequence that circulates solvent through the pump and fluid lines, then purges the solvent, ensuring the system is clean before introducing the next material. This preliminary cleaning action prevents cross-contamination while maintaining a single-pump configuration.
2Reliability
If thorough washing is performed between fluid changes, then fluid purity is improved, but loss of time increases due to lengthy washing and reconnection procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous operation by eliminating idle downtime between fluid changes. The wash sequence is automatically executed without requiring system shutdown or manual reconnection. The pump continues to operate throughout the washing and purging processes, ensuring that the transition between fluids occurs without interruption to the overall spraying operation.
3Reliability
If thorough washing is performed between fluid changes, then fluid purity is improved, but loss of substance increases due to excessive solvent consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial washing action followed by purging, rather than continuous excessive washing. The wash sequence circulates solvent through the system for a controlled period to remove contaminants, then purges the solvent and wash materials from the fluid lines. This two-stage approach uses only the necessary amount of solvent to achieve clean fluid transitions without wasteful over-washing.
4Ease of operation
If manual disconnection and reconnection of fluid sources is performed, then ease of operation is reduced, but adaptability is improved for different fluid sources
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is designed with universal adaptability to handle multiple different fluid sources and materials. The system can be connected to various fluid sources and automatically adapts to different materials through the wash sequence. The manifold design allows the same pump to service multiple fluid sources without requiring manual disconnection or reconfiguration, maintaining both ease of operation and fluid source flexibility.
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
Enables efficient and thorough cleaning of the pump and fluid lines between fluid changes, preventing contamination and reducing the need for lengthy downtimes or excessive solvent use, while allowing for seamless transitions between different spray materials.
Implementation Method 1
the pump is operated in a wash mode to circulate a solvent through the fluid lines and pump
Implementation Method 2
the solvent and wash material are purged from the fluid lines
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A method for a system having a plurality of primary fluid sources and a fluid output with a common pump includes halting pumping of a first fluid, isolating the common pump from the fluid output and the primary fluid sources, connecting an inlet of the common pump to a solvent source and an outlet of the common pump to a waste fluid dump, actuating the common pump first in a pumping mode, then in a recirculation mode, and then in a flush mode, connecting an inlet of the common pump to a second primary fluid source, and an outlet of the common pump to the output line, and starting pumping of a second fluid from the second primary fluid source through the output line.