Spraying device for a cleaning machine for cleaning medical, pharmaceutical and/or laboratory utensils
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning machines for medical, pharmaceutical, and laboratory utensils require complex electrical components for active washing arm drives, which are difficult to seal and can be inefficient, limiting independent control over cleaning parameters and hygiene.
Innovation Solution
A spray device with a washing arm driven by a turbine connected to a separate drive fluid line, allowing independent control of rotation speed and fluid flow, using the same cleaning fluid as the drive fluid, and optionally compressed air, without the need for electrical supply, enabling efficient and hygienic cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an electromotic drive with transmission is used to actively drive the washing arm, then the rotation of the washing arm is independent of the cleaning fluid intake, but the device complexity increases due to electrically supplied components that must be accommodated liquid sealed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electromotic drive system with a turbine-driven mechanical system. The turbine is activated by cleaning fluid flow and directly drives the washing arm rotation through mechanical connection, eliminating the need for electric motors, transmissions, and complex liquid sealing arrangements while maintaining independent control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the cleaning fluid itself as the driving medium for the turbine. The fluid flow activates the turbine blades, which convert hydraulic energy into mechanical rotation of the washing arm. This hydraulic drive system eliminates electrical components and their associated sealing requirements
2Reliability
If a magnetic drive is used to rotate the washing arm, then electrical supply is avoided, but the device complexity increases due to the need for a rotatable runner with magnets in a dry area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magnetic drive system with a direct hydraulic turbine mechanism. The turbine uses the kinetic energy of the cleaning fluid flow to directly rotate the washing arm through blade interaction, eliminating the need for magnetic runners, magnets, and associated mechanical complexity while maintaining reliability in wet environments
3Device complexity
If hydraulic spray device is used where cleaning medium drives the washing arm rotation, then no separate drive system is needed, but the speed of the washing arm is always correlated with the amount and pressure of the cleaning fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid system into two independent pathways: one for cleaning function and one for drive function. The drive fluid line supplies fluid to the turbine at controlled pressure and flow, while the cleaning fluid line supplies fluid to the spray nozzles. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of washing arm speed and cleaning fluid application parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different fluid pressure and flow characteristics to different functions. The drive fluid line is equipped with pressure regulation and flow control specifically for turbine activation, while the cleaning fluid line maintains separate pressure and flow parameters optimized for cleaning effectiveness, enabling localized optimization of each function
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 allows for flexible and efficient cleaning by separating the drive fluid line from the cleaning fluid management, enabling precise control over washing arm speed and fluid flow, reducing water usage and pressure requirements, and ensuring effective cleaning without electrical components.
Implementation Method 1
The drive device comprises a turbine that is in an active connection with the washing arm in such a way that a rotation of the turbine leads to a rotation of the washing arm
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a spray device, a cleaning machine for cleaning medical, pharmaceutical, and/or laboratory equipment, a conversion device for converting a hydraulic spray device, and a method for cleaning medical, pharmaceutical, and/or laboratory equipment. At least one washing arm (3, 3a) is rotatably mounted on an axis (4) and is supplied with cleaning fluid from a cleaning fluid supply line (5) in the axis (4). The washing arm (3, 3a) is provided with outlet openings (6) from which jets of cleaning fluid can be directed onto the equipment (8). The spray device (2) has a drive device (9) for actively driving the washing arm (3, 3a). The drive device (9) comprises a turbine (11) which is in operative connection with the washing arm (3, 3a) such that a rotation of the turbine (11) leads to a rotation of the washing arm (3, 3a).The drive device (9) also has a drive fluid line (10, 10a) separate from the cleaning fluid supply line (5). The turbine (11) can be driven by a drive fluid flowing out of the separate drive fluid line (10, 10a).