Vacuum Degreasing Sprayer With Integrated Heating Means

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum degreasing and cleaning apparatuses face challenges such as inefficient solvent use, complex loading processes for complex-shaped objects, solvent condensation issues, and regulatory complexities due to the need for large solvent volumes and hazardous material handling.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum degreasing and cleaning apparatus with a cleaning chamber, injector, sprayer, storage tanks, and a distiller that vaporizes solvent using a heating means within the sprayer, allowing efficient solvent introduction and recycling, and featuring multiple injectors for varied pressure cleaning methods, along with smaller storage tank capacities to reduce solvent usage and regulatory burdens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a plurality of cleaning nozzles are used to clean complex-shaped objects, then cleaning coverage is improved, but loading process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning uniformityVSAvoidloading process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning nozzles are made movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be repositioned according to the shape and size of different objects. This dynamic positioning capability enables the same apparatus to handle various object configurations without requiring complex pre-planned loading arrangements, thus maintaining cleaning uniformity while simplifying the loading process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning system is divided into multiple independent nozzles that can operate separately and be positioned independently. This segmentation allows each nozzle to be optimally positioned for different parts of complex-shaped objects, achieving comprehensive cleaning coverage without requiring a complex fixed loading structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of substance

If solvent is introduced by sprayer and vaporized, then solvent usage efficiency is improved, but solvent introduction efficiency decreases due to condensation in piping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolvent usage efficiencyVSAvoidsolvent introduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the temperature parameter of the solvent from ambient to elevated temperature before introduction. By heating the solvent to a higher temperature, the patent prevents condensation during transport through the piping system, thereby maintaining solvent introduction efficiency while still achieving efficient cleaning and vaporization at the target.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The solvent is pre-heated before being introduced into the cleaning chamber, rather than relying on in-transit vaporization. This preliminary heating action ensures the solvent remains in vapor phase throughout the piping system, preventing condensation losses and ensuring efficient delivery to the cleaning zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If large volume of solvent is used for cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but environmental impact and regulatory burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes phase transition of the solvent from liquid to vapor and back to liquid for efficient cleaning with minimal solvent volume. The solvent is vaporized for cleaning, then condensed and recovered, allowing the same small amount of solvent to be reused multiple times, thereby maintaining cleaning effectiveness while dramatically reducing environmental impact and regulatory burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding used solvent, the system recovers it through condensation and returns it to the storage tank for reuse. This recovery process eliminates the need for large continuous solvent supplies, reducing both environmental impact and regulatory requirements while maintaining consistent cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 apparatus efficiently cleans complex-shaped objects with reduced solvent consumption, improved solvent introduction efficiency, and simplified regulatory compliance by minimizing solvent volume and handling hazards, while maintaining effective contamination removal and cleanliness.

Implementation Method 1

a heating means 30 is provided in the inside of the sprayer 3 in a nesting way... the solvent which is sprayed from the sprayer is gasified (vaporized) in the cleaning chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

a distiller 6 which distills the solvent in the storage tank 5b

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDistillation: Distillation

Implementation Method 3

degreasing and cleaning are often performed under an atmosphere in which air is cut off, for example, under a vacuum/reduced pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP2527049B1Vacuum degreasing and cleaning apparatus and vacuum degreasing and cleaning method
Publication Date: 2013.08.28 NACHI FUJIKOSHI CORP
  • EP2527049B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2527049B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2527049B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

There is provided a vacuum degreasing and cleaning apparatus (1), including a cleaning chamber (4) having an injector (2a, 2b) and a sprayer (3) that eject a solvent to an object to be cleaned, a plurality of storage tanks (5a-5c) that store the solvent, a distiller (6) that distills the solvent in the storage tanks, and a replenisher tank (7) that stores the solvent distilled by the distiller, wherein a heating means (30) is provided in the inside of the sprayer in a nesting way. There is also provided a vacuum degreasing and cleaning method using the aforementioned vacuum degreasing and cleaning apparatus, wherein the solvent is pressurized and supplied to the inside of the sprayer, heated to a temperature not lower than a saturation temperature in the cleaning chamber under a reduced pressure, and thereafter sprayed in the cleaning chamber under the reduced pressure.