Construction Machine Spraying Device Nozzle Clogging Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing spraying devices for construction machines often experience clogging of outlet nozzles due to processed material, leading to time-consuming cleaning and prolonged machine standstill, with existing solutions being complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A control unit is arranged to trigger periodic fluid blasts through the outlet nozzle for cleaning, eliminating the need for mechanical components and allowing automatic operation during intervals, even when the spraying function is deactivated, using a low fluid quantity that does not affect material properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If outlet nozzles are used for introducing fluid into the working chamber, then the construction machine can process ground material and add fluids (e.g., water, bonding agents), but the outlet nozzles become clogged by processed material, requiring time-consuming cleaning and causing machine standstill
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit triggers a fluid blast through the outlet nozzle before the nozzle becomes completely blocked, performing preliminary cleaning action. This prevents full clogging and eliminates the need for lengthy manual cleaning interruptions, thereby maintaining machine productivity while minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own fluid supply system to automatically clean the outlet nozzles without requiring external cleaning equipment or manual intervention. The control unit orchestrates this self-cleaning process, allowing the machine to maintain itself during operation and reducing both cleaning time and productivity loss.
2Reliability
If mechanical closing devices are installed in outlet nozzles to prevent clogging, then nozzle reliability improves, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical closing devices with a fluid-based cleaning system controlled by a control unit. Instead of using mechanical parts to prevent clogging, the system uses periodic fluid blasts to clear any material that attempts to block the nozzle, thereby maintaining reliability while eliminating mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic or pneumatic fluid blasts introduced through the outlet nozzle to clear clogging material. This fluid-based approach replaces the need for mechanical closing devices, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective clogging prevention and improving overall system reliability.
3Quantity of substance
If fluid is continuously supplied through the outlet nozzle, then the working chamber receives adequate fluid for processing, but processed material accumulates and blocks the nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements periodic fluid blasts through the outlet nozzle instead of continuous supply. These periodic bursts serve dual purposes: delivering the necessary fluid quantity for processing while simultaneously clearing any accumulated material that could block the nozzle, thereby maintaining both adequate fluid supply and nozzle patency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by combining fluid supply with self-cleaning functionality. The periodic fluid blasts ensure that the nozzle remains patent while continuously delivering the required fluid quantity to the working chamber, eliminating interruptions and maintaining uninterrupted processing operation.
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 effectively prevents nozzle clogging with minimal maintenance and operational disruption, ensuring continuous machine operation by automatically cleaning the outlet nozzles during idle periods without affecting the processing material.
Implementation Method 1
it controls a cleaning function of the at least one outlet nozzle in such a way that a fluid blast for cleaning exits in intervals through the at least one outlet nozzle into the working chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A spraying device for introducing a fluid into the working chamber of a construction machine for processing ground or road surfaces comprises at least one outlet nozzle by which the fluid is introduced into the working chamber, a line system by which the fluid is conveyed to the at least one outlet nozzle, and a control unit by which the fluid supply to the outlet nozzle is controllable. The present invention further relates to a construction machine for processing ground or road surfaces, especially a milling machine for milling off road or ground surfaces, a stabilizer for stabilizing ground of low bearing capacity and a recycler for repairing pavements in need of repair, comprising such a spraying device, and a method for operating a working device of such a construction machine.