Spraying Station Inspection Device for Container Cleaning Residue Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning machines for reusable containers often fail to ensure complete removal of treatment or cleaning liquid residues, which can contaminate refilled products, due to inefficiencies in spray jet detection and application.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a stationary inspection device with sensor units, such as optical, capacitive, or force sensors, to detect and evaluate the cleaning jets generated by spray nozzles, ensuring proper cleaning and minimizing liquid residue adherence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If spray nozzles are used to apply cleaning liquid to containers, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but incomplete removal of liquid residues occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a sensor system that detects the presence and characteristics of cleaning liquid on containers after spraying. This feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor whether cleaning liquid has been properly applied and removed, enabling real-time adjustments to prevent residue contamination while maintaining effective cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical spray application with a sensor-based detection and control system. Optical or capacitive sensors detect the presence and distribution of cleaning liquid, substituting mechanical trial-and-error spraying with precise, monitored application that prevents both over-spraying (causing residues) and under-spraying (reducing cleaning effectiveness).
2Manufacturing precision
If treatment zones are enlarged to increase cleaning time, then cleaning completeness is improved, but production efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces extended mechanical treatment time with sensor-based detection and precision control. Instead of enlarging treatment zones to provide more cleaning time, the system uses sensors to detect cleaning liquid presence and distribution, enabling precise, targeted application that achieves complete cleaning in shorter time periods, thus maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from increasing treatment duration to optimizing spray parameters based on sensor feedback. By monitoring cleaning liquid presence and adjusting spray characteristics (pressure, duration, distribution) in real-time, the system achieves thorough cleaning without extending the overall treatment zone size or residence time, preserving production efficiency.
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 effectively monitors and ensures the presence and intensity of cleaning jets, preventing residue accumulation and optimizing cleaning efficiency, thereby ensuring containers are free of treatment liquids for refilling.
Implementation Method 1
the inspection device comprises at least one sensor unit... such as optical, capacitive, or force sensors
Implementation Method 2
the inspection device comprises at least one sensor unit... such as optical, capacitive, or force sensors
Implementation Method 3
the inspection device comprises at least one sensor unit... such as optical, capacitive, or force sensors
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning machine for cleaning containers, in which the containers to be cleaned are moved by means of a transport system between a bottle inlet and a bottle delivery station through various treatment zones, wherein the treatment zones comprise at least one immersion bath and at least one spraying zone with at least one spraying station, wherein the at least one spraying station has at least one spray nozzle with at least one cleaning jet for applying a cleaning fluid to the container which is accommodated with its respective downwardly directed container mouth in a transport system, wherein the orientation of the cleaning jet relative to the container to be cleaned is predetermined in the region of the spraying station during the application of the cleaning fluid to the container. According to the invention, the spraying station has at least one inspection device which is designed to detect and/or evaluate the at least one cleaning jet produced by the injection nozzle, the inspection device comprises at least one sensor unit for detecting the at least one cleaning jet produced by the injection nozzle and an evaluation unit for evaluating the cleaning jet detected by the sensor unit, wherein the sensor unit is designed as a camera unit.