Telescopic Nozzle Tube Assembly Without Flexible Hose Bending

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container washing machines face issues with flexible hoses bending and retaining water due to the need for vertical movement of nozzles, leading to unreliable media supply and limited space constraints.

Innovation Solution

A telescopic tube assembly with a shifting mechanism, comprising immovable and movable parts, allows the nozzles to move within the machine without flexible hoses, using fixed tubes for media intake and preventing bending arcs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If flexible hoses are used to supply media to vertically movable nozzle systems, then the nozzles can move to various heights, but the flexible hoses bend and retain water in arcs, causing unreliable media supply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle movement rangeVSAvoidmedia supply reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The telescopic tube is divided into multiple telescopic segments that can extend and retract independently. Each segment contains internal channels for media supply, eliminating the need for flexible hoses. The segments are connected in a nested configuration, allowing the tube to extend to various heights while maintaining rigid media conduits throughout the movement range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The telescopic segments are arranged in a nested configuration where smaller diameter segments are inserted into larger diameter segments. This nested structure allows compact retraction and extended deployment, enabling the nozzle to reach various heights while the rigid nested segments maintain continuous media flow without bending or water retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If flexible hoses are used to supply media, then nozzle movement is enabled, but space in height is consumed by bending arcs of the hoses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle movement capabilityVSAvoidvertical space required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The telescopic tube is segmented into multiple telescopic sections that can extend linearly without forming arcs. This segmentation allows the tube to achieve various heights through rigid extension rather than flexible bending, eliminating the need for additional vertical space to accommodate hose arcs while maintaining full nozzle movement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of allowing the media supply path to bend flexibly (as with hoses), the invention inverts the approach by making the supply path rigid and allowing the support structure to be flexible through telescopic extension. The rigid telescopic segments extend vertically in straight lines, eliminating arc formation and reducing vertical space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If a telescopic tube with spring is used, then fixed pipes can be used for media supply, but the telescopic assembly returns to original position after spraying, preventing continuous operation at lower positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedia supply stabilityVSAvoidcontinuous operation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-based mechanical return system is replaced with an active driving mechanism (such as a motor or pneumatic actuator) that can precisely control the telescopic segments at any position. This active drive system allows the nozzle to remain stationary at extended positions during spraying operations and to move continuously between positions, enabling continuous operation at various heights without automatic retraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If telescopic segments are extracted during spraying, then nozzles can reach various heights, but the media supply must be discontinuous during movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle height adjustmentVSAvoidmedia supply continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The telescopic tube is divided into multiple segments with integrated media channels. As the segments extend or retract, the internal channels maintain continuous alignment, allowing media to flow continuously through all segments during movement. This eliminates the need to stop media supply during height adjustment, as the segmented rigid structure maintains fluid pathways throughout the extension process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The media supply system is designed to maintain pressure and flow continuity before, during, and after telescopic movement. The rigid segmented channels are pre-configured to ensure uninterrupted media flow, and the system maintains sufficient pressure to overcome any transient effects during segment extension or retraction, allowing continuous operation without stopping the media supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3765208B1Assembly of telescopic tubes configured to move a washing/drying nozzle in container washing machines
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 BRINOX D O O
  • EP3765208B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3765208B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3765208B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The object of the invention is an assembly of telescopic tubes configured to move a washing/drying nozzle in container washing machines. The assembly configured to move a washing/drying nozzle (5) in container washing machines of the invention is represented by two telescopic tubes (1, 2) and a shifting mechanism (3), wherein, while in use, the internal parts (1c, 2c) of the telescopic tubes (1, 2) are pushed by means of the movable part of the shifting mechanism (3) and the vertical side guides (4) into a closed chamber in the interior of a washing machine, while the connecting parts (1a, 2a) of the telescopic tubes (1, 2) remain firmly fastened on the immovable part of the shifting mechanism (3).