Combined Spray Suction Nozzle for Borehole Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for cleaning boreholes are inefficient and often result in uneven cleaning quality, especially when dealing with multiple boreholes, and can lead to dust pollution and reduced load capacity due to residual dust and particles.

Innovation Solution

A combined spray and suction nozzle for a water deployment device that uses a suction current and a fluid current to deliver a liquid and suck out debris from boreholes, ensuring thorough cleaning and drying, and can be controlled by a computer program product for automated operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If brushes are used to clean boreholes, then cleaning action is provided, but significant amounts of dust are released into the environment and respiratory tracts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoiddust pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A liquid intermediary (water or cleaning solution) is introduced between the brushing action and the environment. The liquid captures dust particles during the cleaning process, preventing them from becoming airborne and being inhaled by workers, while still providing effective cleaning of the borehole

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If hollow-hole drills are used to suction drilling debris, then debris removal is achieved, but the thread forces dust against inner walls making it difficult to remove

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedebris removal efficiencyVSAvoidcleaning completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the suction function with a liquid delivery system in a single integrated device. The liquid is delivered through the same nozzle that provides suction, allowing the liquid to flush debris toward the suction opening while the suction simultaneously removes it, preventing debris from adhering to borehole walls

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If manual cleaning methods are used, then flexibility is maintained, but cleaning uniformity and consistency vary across multiple boreholes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidcleaning uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs self-service cleaning by automatically delivering liquid and simultaneously suctioning debris through integrated channels. The system regulates its own operation with minimal manual intervention, ensuring consistent cleaning performance across multiple boreholes while maintaining ease of use through a simple handheld design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 achieves uniform and effective cleaning of boreholes, reducing dust pollution and ensuring a stable load capacity by removing debris and drying the borehole, thus enabling reliable attachment of dowels or rods with consistent holding force.

Implementation Method 1

the water supply device provides a suction flow and a liquid flow comprising a liquid to the nozzle... the nozzle can be subjected to a negative pressure, which generates a suction flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a liquid stream, as well as second openings through which the suction material can be sucked out of the borehole... The fluid or fluid stream can be forced into the borehole through the first openings of the nozzle under pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentEP4537947A1A combined spray and suction nozzle for a water provision device, a method of cleaning a well and a computer program product
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 HILTI AG
  • EP4537947A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4537947A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4537947A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A combined spray and suction nozzle (10) for a water supply device (50), wherein the water supply device provides a suction flow and a liquid flow comprising a liquid to the nozzle. The nozzle (10) has a discharge area (12) for discharging the liquid and a suction area (14) for aspirating material with the suction flow. In a second aspect, a method for cleaning a borehole (B) with a water supply device (50) and such a nozzle (10), wherein the method includes, among other things, discharging a liquid and aspirating material through the nozzle. In a third aspect, a computer program product (CPP) for operation on a water supply device (50), wherein the proposed method is controllable by the computer program product.