Wash Chamber Nozzle Helix for Complete Hand and Forearm Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated hand-washing devices with rotating cylinders lack efficient nozzle arrangements for optimal hand and forearm coverage, leading to incomplete washing cycles and potential safety issues with finger and jewelry entrapment.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wash cylinder with a novel nozzle arrangement featuring a helical array of nozzles with progressively steeper rotational angles, combined with a flow guidance structure and sealing mechanisms to enhance fluid delivery and prevent finger/jewelry entrapment, along with a fluid conveyance feature to reduce cycle time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional nozzle arrangement is used in the rotating cylinder, then the device structure is simple, but the hand and forearm coverage is incomplete leading to incomplete washing cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle arrangement is segmented into three distinct sets: a first set on the closed end, a second set in a ring near the open end, and a third set in a helical array along the length. Each set serves a specific washing function, collectively providing complete coverage of the hand and forearm while maintaining manageable structural complexity through functional segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The third set of nozzles is arranged in a helical array along the length of the cylinder, adding a longitudinal dimension to the spray coverage. This helical configuration, combined with cylinder rotation, creates a sweeping spray pattern that covers the entire forearm length, transforming the coverage from a two-dimensional circular pattern to a three-dimensional helical sweep.
2Reliability
If the cylinder rotates to provide spray coverage, then the hand and forearm coverage is improved, but finger and jewelry entrapment hazards occur
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of the drain opening, which previously allowed finger and jewelry entrapment, is extracted and replaced with a drain plug. This eliminates the entrapment hazard while maintaining the necessary drainage function through the plug's opening mechanism, separating the drainage function from the hazardous open cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The frusto-conical shape of the closed end is designed to guide fingers and jewelry away from the drain opening toward the spray zone. This preliminary geometric guidance prevents objects from reaching the hazardous drain area, providing passive safety through the container's own geometry before objects can potentially be trapped.
3Productivity
If cleaning fluid is delivered through the annular cavity, then the nozzle arrangement is simple, but the fluid flow is turbulent and delivery is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid conveyance structure acts as an intermediary between the fluid source and the nozzles. This structure channels fluid directly to each nozzle location, eliminating the turbulent flow patterns that occur when fluid is delivered through the annular cavity. The intermediary conveyance structure provides controlled, efficient fluid delivery while maintaining a relatively simple overall device design.
4Reliability
If the wash cycle is extended to provide thorough coverage, then the washing completeness is improved, but the cycle time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The helical array of nozzles in the third set, combined with continuous cylinder rotation, creates a continuous sweeping spray action along the forearm. This continuous useful action ensures thorough coverage of the entire forearm length without requiring multiple discrete spray phases, maintaining washing thoroughness while minimizing cycle time through uninterrupted fluid delivery.
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 ensures thorough and rapid hand washing with improved fluid flow, reduced cycle time, and enhanced safety by preventing finger and jewelry entrapment, while maintaining reliability under high pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
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 2
the cylinders are rotated to provide a spray pattern
Implementation Method 3
The cylinder includes a flow guidance structure that directs fluid flow to reduce turbulence and improve delivery efficiency
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.