Spray Station Flow Control for Bottle Cleaning Pressure Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container cleaning machines experience high frequency pressure surges due to complete interruption of spray jets, leading to inefficiencies and water wastage, as they are not designed to control the height or direction of the cleaning agent effectively.
Innovation Solution
A spray station with controlled flow control valves and pumps adjusts the spray jet's height and pressure during the spraying phase, allowing partial interruption or reduction when containers are not in range, ensuring efficient liquid use and intensified treatment within the containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the spray jet is completely interrupted when containers are not in range, then water consumption is reduced, but high frequency pressure surges occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing a pulsed spray pattern where the spray jet is periodically interrupted and restored during the spraying phase. The control device alternates between spraying and non-spraying states, creating a periodic action that allows contaminated liquid to drain out while maintaining pressure stability through controlled transitions rather than complete interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the spray jet parameters (flow rate, pressure, duration) through the control device. The system changes the spray parameters from continuous to pulsed mode, modifying the temporal distribution of spray medium delivery to achieve both water conservation and pressure surge reduction through controlled parameter variation.
2Loss of substance
If the spray jet is completely interrupted frequently, then water is saved, but cleaning efficiency decreases due to pressure instability
Solution Approach 1:
The periodic action principle is applied by implementing controlled pulsed spraying cycles that alternate between spray and non-spray phases. This periodic pattern allows for water saving during non-spray intervals while maintaining cleaning efficiency through optimized spray pulses that deliver adequate liquid for effective cleaning without the negative effects of complete interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing a pulsed spray regime where the spray jet is delivered in controlled portions rather than continuously or completely interrupted. This partial delivery approach maintains sufficient liquid supply for effective cleaning while reducing overall water consumption and avoiding the pressure instability associated with complete interruptions.
3Device complexity
If the spray jet height is not controlled, then the system is simple, but treatment liquid cannot be effectively intensified within containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static, fixed spray jet height system to a dynamic system where the spray jet height is variable and controllable. The control device dynamically adjusts the spray parameters including jet height to optimize treatment liquid distribution within containers, enhancing cleaning effectiveness while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically modifying the spray jet height parameter through the control device. The system changes the spray parameters from fixed to variable, allowing optimization of treatment liquid penetration and distribution within containers based on operational requirements, thereby improving treatment effectiveness without significantly increasing system complexity.
4Stress or pressure
If the spray jet is continuously delivered, then pressure stability is maintained, but water consumption increases and contaminated liquid cannot drain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing a pulsed spray pattern that alternates between spray and non-spray phases. This periodic delivery maintains pressure stability through controlled transitions while reducing water consumption during non-spray intervals and allowing contaminated liquid to drain out during the non-spraying phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by ensuring that the pulsed spray pattern maintains continuous pressure stability through controlled transitions between spray and non-spray phases. The system maintains pressure stability not by continuous delivery but by rhythmic, controlled interruption that prevents pressure surges while allowing drainage, thereby sustaining the useful action of pressure control.
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
This solution reduces pressure surges, conserves fresh water, and enhances the action of treatment liquids on containers by controlling the spray jet's height and pressure, ensuring effective cleaning and reduced water usage.
Implementation Method 1
A pump (10) which delivers a treatment liquid to the spray nozzles (5)
Implementation Method 2
spray nozzles (5) which form a spray jet (7) that reaches into the containers (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Spraying station of a cleaning machine for cleaning bottles or similar containers, comprising at least one spray nozzle for introducing a spray or treatment liquid into the containers, which are moved by a conveying system past the spray nozzle by way of a container mouth, during a spraying phase in which the respective container is situated in the range of action of the at least one spray nozzle, and comprising means for adjusting the spray jet during the respective spraying phase.