Wash Chamber Nozzle Layout for Faster Hand and Forearm Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated hand-washing devices with rotating cylinders lack effective nozzle orientations and features for improved coverage, faster cycle completion, safer operation, and easier assembly, as well as efficient fluid delivery and drainage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wash chamber with a novel nozzle arrangement featuring progressively steeper helical nozzles, off-helix nozzles, and a flow guidance structure to reduce turbulence, combined with a sealing mechanism and drain holes to prevent finger or jewelry entrapment, enhances fluid delivery and drainage efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional nozzle arrangements are used in rotating cylinders, then the device structure is simple, but the hand and forearm coverage is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle system is segmented into multiple distinct groups: a first group of nozzles on the closed end, a second group in a ring near the open end, and a third group in a helical array along the cylinder length. Each group serves a specific coverage function, collectively achieving complete hand and forearm coverage while maintaining reasonable structural organization
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle arrangement transitions from traditional two-dimensional circular patterns to three-dimensional spatial distribution, including helical positioning along the cylinder length and angular orientations. This multi-dimensional arrangement maximizes coverage of the hand and forearm surfaces that would be difficult to achieve with planar nozzle patterns alone
2Productivity
If conventional fluid delivery systems are used, then the system is simple, but the cycle completion time is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The flow guidance structure is positioned upstream in the fluid delivery path to pre-condition the fluid flow before it reaches the nozzles. By reducing turbulence and optimizing flow patterns in advance, the system achieves faster fluid delivery and quicker cycle completion without adding complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes hydraulic principles through the flow guidance structure that manipulates fluid dynamics within the cylinder. The structure optimizes water flow patterns and pressure distribution to enable faster rinsing cycles, leveraging fluid mechanics rather than mechanical propulsion systems
3Reliability
If standard drain openings are used, then drainage is simple, but there is risk of finger or jewelry entrapment
Solution Approach 1:
The drain structure incorporates localized quality variations with different opening sizes in different regions. Some drain openings are sized to allow fluid passage while being too small to trap fingers or jewelry, creating spatially varying properties that simultaneously enable drainage and prevent entrapment hazards
Solution Approach 2:
The drain design converts the potential harm of large open drainages (entanglement risk) into a beneficial feature by strategically sizing openings. The same drain structure that enables efficient fluid removal also inherently prevents safety hazards, turning a design constraint into a safety feature
4Loss of energy
If no flow guidance structure is used, then the device is simpler, but turbulence is high and fluid delivery is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The flow guidance structure acts as an intermediary element between the fluid source and the nozzles. This intermediate component conditions the fluid flow by reducing turbulence and optimizing flow patterns, serving as a mediator that improves energy efficiency without requiring fundamental changes to the overall system architecture
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 configuration results in improved hand and forearm coverage, faster and more reliable wash cycles, safer operation, and reduced cycle time, while preventing fluid leakage and entrapment issues.
Implementation Method 1
a flow guidance structure disposed on a surface of the inner cylinder that reduces turbulence of the incoming fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
the cleaning fluid is forced out of a nozzle arrangement on the inner surface of the cylinder and into the interior of the cylinder
Implementation Method 3
combined with a sealing mechanism and drain holes to prevent finger or jewelry entrapment
Data Source
AI summary
A wash cylinder or chamber for an automated cleaning station to clean an object or a person's body part includes nozzles on the interior of the cylinder, the nozzles of one embodiment comprising an increasing roll angle providing a novel spray pattern. Additionally, embodiments of the invention include fluid guidance and conveyance structures, angled nozzles, sealing structures, finger guards, nozzle ribs, wash chamber seating mechanisms and drains, and nozzle inlays having a plurality of nozzles. Also disclosed are methods of washing an object or body part using a wash cylinder or chamber and methods of assembling a wash cylinder or chamber.