Cleaner head member, surface cleaning assembly and wet cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A cleaner head member (248) for a wet cleaning device is provided. The cleaner head member includes a porous layer (114) adapted to be subjected to a negative pressure generated by a negative pressure generator (178) included in the wet cleaning apparatus. Pores of the porous layer extend across a thickness of the porous layer and open at opposite sides of the porous layer, a linear central axis of each pore extending across the thickness and passing through an intermediate point surrounded by a pore wall of the respective pore; the bore wall is disposed about a linear central axis. A path that minimizes resistance for fluid flow across the porous layer is defined along a linear central axis of the aperture. A surface cleaning assembly including the cleaner head member is also provided. A wet cleaning apparatus including the cleaner head member or the surface cleaning assembly is also provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a cleaner head component for a wet cleaning apparatus. The invention also relates to a surface cleaning assembly comprising a cleaner head component and a cleaner head. Furthermore, the invention relates to a wet cleaning apparatus comprising a cleaner head component or a surface cleaning assembly.

[0002] Cleaner head components, surface cleaning components, and wet cleaning equipment can be used for cleaning, for example, floors, interior surfaces, or windows. Background Technology

[0003] Wet cleaning devices, such as wet mopping devices, are known for removing water from surfaces to be cleaned. These wet cleaning devices can also apply a cleaning liquid, such as water, to the surface to be cleaned, and then remove the liquid, for example, with a suitable cloth.

[0004] Some wet cleaning devices have a powered pickup function for removing water from the surface to be cleaned. For example, a wet vacuum cleaner can pick up liquid by generating sufficient air velocity (e.g., at least 10 m / s) and / or brush force to apply sufficient shear force to the droplet, thereby drawing the droplet into the device. The typical power consumption of such vacuum cleaners is relatively high, for example, in the order of several hundred watts.

[0005] Further challenges arise when wet cleaning equipment is configured to deliver cleaning fluid and use suction to retrieve it. In at least some designs, providing both of these functions may result in the inefficient use of the cleaning fluid.

[0006] There is also a risk that poorly controlled delivery of the cleaning fluid during or even after use could result in the environment becoming wetted by the cleaning fluid. In at least some cases, particularly when using a relatively low-power pickup system, such wetting of the surface to be cleaned may not be easily addressed by the device's pickup function.

[0007] EP3169210A1 discloses a surface cleaning apparatus comprising a cloth placed on a porous material, a reservoir for collecting liquid picked up by the cloth, and means for applying negative pressure in the reservoir to transfer liquid from the cloth to the reservoir. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Additional challenges have been encountered regarding the clogging of the pickup components of wet cleaning equipment by dirt particles, particularly those that control the application of negative pressure in wet cleaning equipment.

[0009] This invention is defined by the claims.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, a cleaner head component for a cleaner head in a wet cleaning apparatus is provided, the cleaner head component comprising a porous layer adapted to withstand negative pressure generated by a negative pressure generator included in the wet cleaning apparatus, the porous layer having a limiting pore diameter equal to or less than 105 μm as measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, a plurality of pores of the porous layer extending across the thickness of the porous layer and opening at opposite sides of the porous layer, a linear central axis of each pore extending across the thickness and passing through a midpoint surrounded by the pore walls of the respective pore, the pore walls being arranged around the linear central axis, and a path of least resistance for fluid flow across the porous layer being defined along the linear central axis of the pore.

[0011] When a porous layer is drying, it can be considered to be in an "air-carrying state," where air is transported through each of the dried pores of the porous layer. A "liquid-carrying state" corresponds to the transport of liquid (e.g., water) through the (wetted) pores of the porous layer. A "fluid-blocking state" can be employed when liquid is no longer supplied to the pores. The "fluid-blocking state" corresponds to the state where the surface tension of the (residual) liquid remaining in the wetted pores of the porous layer prevents fluid transport through the pores. In the latter state, a surface or barrier is created at the boundary between the air and the liquid (e.g., water). This barrier helps maintain a negative pressure between the porous layer and the negative pressure generator. The pressure required to "break" this barrier is called the "breaking pressure."

[0012] Limiting the pore diameter to an upper limit of 105 μm (equivalent to a minimum bubble point pressure of 2000 Pa) helps ensure that the porous layer can maintain sufficient negative pressure.

[0013] The multiple pores of a porous layer (whose linear central axis extends across the thickness of the porous layer and passes through a midpoint surrounded by the pore walls of the respective pores) are considered to be better defined than, for example, pores defined between fibers in a woven fabric. This disclosure is based, at least in part, on the understanding that such better-defined pores can be selected to be physically larger than the less well-defined pores of other types of porous materials, while still providing comparable breaking pressure. Because better-defined pores can be physically larger while achieving a given breaking pressure, they are less prone to clogging by dirt particles.

[0014] In some embodiments, the plurality of pores in the porous layer may have a pore size distribution that is selected to be separate from, in other words, non-overlapping with, the pore size distribution of another porous layer disposed on the porous layer. In particular, the pore size distribution of the porous layer may be transformed into a pore size larger than that of another porous layer.

[0015] This could mean that when the porous layer and another porous layer are subjected to negative pressure generated by the negative pressure generator of the wet cleaning equipment, dirt particles small enough to initially pass through the other porous layer also pass through the porous layer. This makes the porous layer less prone to clogging by such dirt particles during use.

[0016] The blockage of another porous layer by such dirt particles can be resolved, for example, by removing the other porous layer from the porous layer to make it possible to clean and / or replace the other porous layer.

[0017] Each pore in a porous layer can be considered as a through-hole extending axially through the thickness of the porous layer.

[0018] These holes can be defined in any suitable manner, such as by laser ablation of a polymer film, or by the woven structure of a mesh, such as a monofilament mesh.

[0019] In some embodiments, the multiple pores of the porous layer each have a polygonal or circular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the linear central axis. For example, the multiple pores of the porous layer may each have a square cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the linear central axis. This polygonal (e.g., square) or circular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the linear central axis can mean that the pore walls provide a uniform surface, particularly a relatively well-defined edge between the surface of the pore walls and the outer surface of one or both sides of the porous layer. This helps to increase the breaking pressure.

[0020] The edge between the surface of the pore wall and the outer surface of the porous layer can, for example, have a radius of curvature of 0.1 μm to 3 μm.

[0021] Such a radius of curvature (which can be significantly smaller than the orifice radius) can help prevent the size growth of the liquid-air interface / surface when pressure is applied. This prevents an increase in forces on the surface (force equals pressure multiplied by area), and therefore prevents the edges of the surface from overloading more quickly, thus preventing surface collapse (damage).

[0022] Pores with polygonal (e.g., square) or circular cross-sectional shapes can provide higher breaking pressure, even with relatively large pore sizes, compared to poorly defined pores between fibers in woven fabrics. This larger pore size can also help reduce pore clogging by dirt particles.

[0023] It has been found that circular cross-sectional shapes with holes that are typically cylindrical, or polygonal (e.g., square) cross-sectional shapes with holes that are typically prismatic (e.g., cube or cubic), can contribute to an increase in the destructive pressure associated with the hole geometry.

[0024] It is noted that the well-defined pores of the porous layer contrast with the pores defined between the fibers of a woven fabric, in which a range of contact angles is effectively provided around the surface defining a given pore. The shapes of the upstream and downstream openings of the pores in such a woven fabric are also not as well-defined as the upstream and downstream edges of the porous layer. This means that, in the case of pores in a woven fabric, there may always be positions within the pore where the contact angle reaches its limit, causing the liquid barrier to lose its position. The resulting barrier movement can increase the surface area of ​​pressure action; the increased total force acting on the barrier makes it more difficult for the rest of the barrier to maintain its position, leading to further movement, and so on. This problem can be solved by the well-defined pore geometry of each pore in the porous layer according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] In summary, the contact angle between the liquid and the surface of the porous layer can always exist; an increase in pressure can move the edge of the barrier to a new equilibrium position; if this movement occurs while the barrier remains relatively small, a higher breaking pressure can be obtained; if the movement occurs while significantly increasing the surface area of ​​the barrier, the breaking pressure may be lower.

[0026] In some embodiments, the thickness of the porous layer is less than 200 μm, preferably less than 100 μm. This maximum thickness helps to minimize flow resistance through the porous layer.

[0027] In some embodiments, the porous layer comprises a mesh (e.g., a wire mesh). Alternatively or additionally, the porous layer may comprise, for example, a perforated film.

[0028] Such meshes (e.g., monofilament mesh) and / or perforated films can represent a relatively straightforward way of providing holes with the well-defined geometry. In the case of perforated films, the holes can be defined, for example, by subjecting the film (e.g., a polymer film) to laser ablation. In such embodiments, the holes can have the polygonal (e.g., square) or circular cross-sectional shape.

[0029] In the case of a mesh, the holes can be defined by weaving and / or welding the mesh threads (e.g., polymer threads). In such embodiments, the holes can have, for example, the square cross-sectional shape described above.

[0030] In some embodiments, the porous layer comprises, for example, a plain weave or a twill weave. Both plain weave and twill weave can provide holes with a square cross-sectional shape.

[0031] It has been found that plain weave can provide higher breaking pressure than twill weave. In other words, for a given breaking pressure, plain weave webs allow for larger openings than twill weave webs.

[0032] In some embodiments, the porous layer is formed of a material having a water contact angle of less than 90°. Such a contact angle may mean that the porous layer can be properly wetted by an aqueous liquid on the surface to be cleaned.

[0033] In some embodiments, the porous layer is formed of polyester and / or polyamide. Such materials have been found to be suitably hydrophilic so that the porous layer can be adequately wetted by water, such as water received from a cleaned surface.

[0034] The hydrophilicity of polyamides (such as nylon) is particularly suitable for porous layers. Polyesters can also provide suitable hydrophilicity, especially after plasma treatment of polyesters.

[0035] In some embodiments, the cleaner head component includes a support member for supporting the porous layer. For example, the porous layer may be secured (e.g., adhered) to the support member.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, the cleaner head assembly may include a pliable material with a porous layer disposed on it. If, for example, there are relatively hard protrusions on the surface to be cleaned that contact the porous layer or another porous layer disposed on top of it, deformation (e.g., elastic deformation) of this pliable material can reduce the risk of damaging the porous layer. Alternatively or additionally, the pliable material can help the porous layer conform to any contour of the surface to be cleaned.

[0037] Alternatively or additionally, the cleaner head component can be flexibly mounted or mountable to the cleaner head. This helps the porous layer conform to any contour of the surface to be cleaned, thereby facilitating liquid pickup.

[0038] In some embodiments, the flexible material includes a curved surface thereon on which a porous layer is disposed, the porous layer following the curvature of the curved surface.

[0039] In some embodiments, a flexible material defines a support member that supports the porous layer. In other embodiments, the flexible material is disposed between the support member (e.g., a rigid support member) and the porous layer.

[0040] In some embodiments, one or more dirt inlets are defined in the cleaner head member, and a porous layer covers one or more dirt inlets. The dirt inlets can provide fluid communication between a negative pressure generator and the pores of the porous layer.

[0041] The liquid pickup area of ​​the porous layer can be defined by sealing the porous layer around at least one dirt inlet. The sealing attachment of the porous layer around the dirt inlet helps to maintain negative pressure in the dirt inlet, whether or not airflow is applied by a negative pressure generator included in the wet cleaning device.

[0042] The sealing attachment can be achieved in any suitable manner, such as by gluing or welding a porous layer around each of at least one waste inlet, for example, by gluing and / or welding a porous layer around one or more tubes, the openings of which define the waste inlets.

[0043] In some embodiments, at least one waste inlet is defined by one or more channels extending through a flexible material.

[0044] In some embodiments, the cleaner head component may be attached to and / or detached from the cleaner head of the wet cleaning device.

[0045] The porous layer may be prone to wear, and such wear may pose a risk of impairing the negative pressure retention / liquid pickup performance of the porous layer. However, due to the aforementioned sealing attachment of the porous layer around the contaminant inlet, replacing the porous layer may become difficult for the user.

[0046] Therefore, the cleaner head assembly may include a porous layer that is already sealed to the waste inlet. This allows the porous layer to be replaced without requiring the user to reseal it to the waste inlet. This helps prevent the user from mistakenly sealing the porous layer to the waste inlet, thus avoiding any disruption or obstruction to subsequent operation of the wet cleaning equipment.

[0047] The cleaner head assembly can be configured to be detachably attached to the wet cleaning device. In such embodiments, for example when the porous layer needs to be replaced or cleaned, the cleaner head assembly itself can be directly replaced or cleaned by detaching it from the cleaner head of the wet cleaning device.

[0048] In some embodiments, the confined pore diameter of the porous layer, as measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, is at least 6 μm, preferably at least 8 μm, and most preferably at least 11 μm.

[0049] It has been empirically found (as further described below) that a confined pore diameter of 6 μm or greater can help maintain a relatively large negative pressure while ensuring that the pores can still effectively transport liquid. The latter can also be aided by minimizing the thickness of the porous layer, for example, to less than 200 μm, preferably less than 150 μm.

[0050] The physical pore size of multiple pores in a porous layer (e.g., at least 6 μm, corresponding to such a confined pore diameter of at least 6 μm) can be larger than the physical pore size of pores in another porous layer, such as a woven fabric layer, for example, about 3 μm.

[0051] This can help reduce clogging of porous layers, because the pores in one porous layer can be larger than the pores in another porous layer.

[0052] In some embodiments, the confined pore diameter of the porous layer, as measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, is 11 μm to 15 μm.

[0053] It has been observed that when a porous layer is used in conjunction with another porous layer (e.g., another porous layer made of woven fabric), the “self-healing” of the multiple pores of the porous layer can be enhanced when the pore diameter of the porous layer is limited to 11 μm to 15 μm.

[0054] According to another aspect, a surface cleaning assembly is provided, comprising: a cleaner head member according to any embodiment described herein; and a cleaning material for contacting a surface to be cleaned, the cleaning material comprising another porous layer disposed on the porous layer.

[0055] Another porous layer may include one or more woven fabric layers.

[0056] In some embodiments, the pore size distribution of the porous layer spans a range of pore sizes, where the minimum pore size is greater than the maximum pore size in the range of pore sizes spanned by another porous layer (e.g., a woven fabric layer).

[0057] This could mean that when the surface to be cleaned, which is in contact with another porous layer, is subjected to negative pressure generated by the negative pressure generator of the wet cleaning equipment, dirt particles that have passed through the other porous layer also pass through the porous layer.

[0058] This makes the porous layer less prone to clogging by such dirt particles during use.

[0059] In some embodiments, another porous layer (e.g., one or more woven fabric layers) has a limiting pore diameter of 105 μm or less and / or 15 μm or greater, as measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A.

[0060] Experience has shown that limiting the pore diameter of another porous layer (such as one or more woven fabric layers) with a diameter equal to or greater than 15 μm, as measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, can help maintain a relatively large negative pressure while ensuring that the pores are large enough to efficiently transport liquid through the other porous layer.

[0061] Similarly, the bubble point pressure of another porous layer, measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, can be equal to or less than 13500 Pa.

[0062] In some embodiments, the limiting pore diameter of the other porous layer, measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, is equal to or less than 105 μm. This upper limit on the limiting pore diameter helps ensure that sufficient negative pressure is maintained through the other porous layer.

[0063] Similarly, the bubble point pressure of the other porous layer, measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, can be equal to or greater than 2000 Pa. Preferably, the bubble point pressure of the other porous layer is between 7000 Pa and 9000 Pa.

[0064] When the surface cleaning assembly is assembled with another porous layer disposed on top of a porous layer, the fluid delivery orifices of the porous layer and / or the liquid pickup area can be specifically arranged in the region of the porous layer that remains in contact with the other porous layer. In such embodiments, maintaining contact between the other porous layer and the porous layer means that any “damaged” orifices in the porous layer can be maintained by a liquid supply from the other porous layer and thereby “repaired.” This helps maintain negative pressure between the negative pressure generator and the porous layer.

[0065] In some embodiments, the other porous layer has a porous structure configured to allow fluid to be transported laterally along a first direction and toward the porous layer along a second direction spanning the thickness of the other porous layer. The lateral fluid transport provided in the other porous layer (e.g., a woven fabric layer of the other porous layer) can help maintain a fluid supply to the porous layer, thereby aiding in the repair of damaged pores in the porous layer.

[0066] In this regard, it is generally noted that as long as the negative pressure experienced by the porous layer is higher than the pore's breaking pressure, the pore can remain "broken". If the negative pressure drops below the breaking pressure, the pore can draw liquid from its surroundings to close itself again, in other words, to be "repaired" and thus restore the fluid blockage state.

[0067] Self-healing properties can be particularly effective when porous layers are in contact with woven fabric layers. However, porous layers with relatively small pore sizes (such as meshes) are also capable of self-healing. For example, a mesh with a pore size of 11 μm can provide almost the same damage repair properties as a woven fabric layer, while a mesh with a pore size of 15 μm can provide damage repair properties close to, but perhaps less consistent with, those provided by a woven fabric layer. However, a mesh with a pore size of 18 μm can provide significantly worse damage repair properties than a woven fabric layer.

[0068] In some embodiments, at least one additional porous cleaning material layer may be removed from the porous layer. Thus, the additional porous layer may be removed, for example, along with the remaining cleaning material, for cleaning and / or replacement.

[0069] Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning material may further include a cleaning liquid applicator material configured to apply a cleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned.

[0070] According to yet another aspect, a wet cleaning apparatus is provided, comprising: a cleaner head component or a surface cleaning assembly according to any embodiment described herein; and a negative pressure generator, wherein the negative pressure generator is delivered for subjecting the porous layer to negative pressure.

[0071] A negative pressure generator can be configured to provide a pressure difference between the interior of a wet cleaning device and atmospheric pressure for drawing fluid through a porous layer, wherein the pressure difference is in the range of 2000 Pa to 15000 Pa, preferably in the range of 2000 Pa to 13500 Pa.

[0072] Alternatively or additionally, the negative pressure generator can be configured to generate up to 2000 cm 3 / minute flow through the porous layer.

[0073] In some embodiments, the negative pressure generator is configured to provide a pressure of 15cm 3 / minute-2000cm 3 / minute, preferably 80cm 3 / minute-750cm 3 / minute, or even better, 100 cm 3 / minute -300cm 3 / minute, optimal value 150 cm 3 / minute -300cm 3 The suction is supplied by a flow rate of / minute through the porous layer.

[0074] This flow (i.e., flow rate) can utilize the negative pressure retention capacity of the porous layer and ensure sufficient liquid pick-up while limiting energy consumption.

[0075] The negative pressure generator may include, for example, a positive displacement pump, such as a peristaltic pump. Because the pump's design inherently limits backflow from the pump outlet, such a positive displacement pump can help maintain negative pressure in the contaminant inlet after the negative pressure generator is deactivated (e.g., shut off). This, in turn, mitigates the release of problematic liquids from the porous layer, such as after cleaning the surface to be cleaned and / or while the wet cleaning equipment is being loaded into the storage area after use.

[0076] Wet cleaning equipment may include a waste liquid collection tank. In such embodiments, a negative pressure generator may be arranged to draw liquid from at least one waste inlet into the waste liquid collection tank.

[0077] In some embodiments, the wet cleaning equipment includes a cleaning liquid supply device for supplying cleaning liquid via, for example, at least one cleaning liquid outlet included in the cleaner head, for delivery toward the surface to be cleaned.

[0078] Such a cleaning liquid supply device may include, for example, a cleaning liquid reservoir and a delivery device, such as a delivery device including a pump, for conveying the cleaning liquid to and through at least one cleaning liquid outlet.

[0079] The cleaning liquid supply device and at least one cleaning liquid outlet can be configured to provide a continuous delivery of cleaning liquid toward the surface to be cleaned. Such continuous delivery can be provided, for example, while a negative pressure generator supplies suction to at least one dirt inlet.

[0080] The cleaning liquid supply device and negative pressure generator can be configured, for example, such that the flow rate of the cleaning liquid delivered through at least one cleaning liquid outlet is equal to or less than the flow rate supplied by the negative pressure generator to at least one dirt inlet. This helps ensure that the surface to be cleaned is not over-wetted by the cleaning liquid. For example, the flow rate of the cleaning liquid can be 20 cm. 3 / minute to 100cm 3 The flow rate is within the range of / minute, and the flow rate provided by the negative pressure generator can reach 40 cm. 3 / minute to 2000cm 3 Within the range of / minute, more preferably within 80 cm 3 / minute to 750cm 3 Within the range of / minute, or even more preferably within 100 cm 3 / minute to 300cm 3 Within the range of / minute, and most preferably within 150 cm 3 / minute to 300cm 3 Within a range of / minute.

[0081] More generally, wet cleaning equipment can include, for example, wet mopping devices, window cleaners, sweepers, or wet vacuum cleaners, such as can, stick, or upright wet vacuum cleaners. In some examples, wet cleaning equipment can include robotic wet vacuum cleaners or robotic wet mopping devices, which are configured to autonomously move their cleaning heads over surfaces to be cleaned, such as floors. Wet mopping devices are mentioned in particular.

[0082] In a specific, non-limiting example, the wet cleaning device is a battery-powered (or battery-powerable) wet cleaning device, such as a battery-powered (or battery-powerable) wet mopping device, wherein the negative pressure generator (e.g., a pump) is powered (or supplied) by a battery electrically connected (or can be connected) to it. This example is specifically mentioned because of the power consumption reduction effect that the porous layer (to which the negative pressure generator provides suction) can provide.

[0083] According to another aspect, there is provided an use for a porous layer having a limiting pore diameter equal to or less than 105 μm as measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, wherein a plurality of pores of the porous layer extend across the thickness of the porous layer and open at opposite sides of the porous layer, a linear central axis of each pore extends across the thickness and passes through a midpoint surrounded by the pore walls of the respective pore, and a path of least resistance for fluid flow across the porous layer is defined along the linear central axis of the pores, wherein said use includes subjecting the porous layer to negative pressure generated by a negative pressure generator included in a wet cleaning device.

[0084] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below. Attached Figure Description

[0085] To better understand the invention and to more clearly illustrate how to implement it, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings by way of example only, wherein:

[0086] Figure 1 The underside of a cleaner head, based on an example, is schematically depicted;

[0087] Figure 2 Provided including Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the cleaning fluid dispensing strip in the cleaner head shown;

[0088] Figure 3 The bottom side of the cleaner head according to the second example is schematically depicted, wherein the cleaning liquid applicator material is detached from the cleaner head;

[0089] Figure 4 schematically depicted Figure 3 The bottom side of the cleaner head is shown, where the cleaning liquid applicator fabric is attached;

[0090] Figure 5A The porous layer and dirt inlet of an exemplary cleaner head are schematically depicted;

[0091] Figure 5B supply Figure 5A A schematic cross-sectional view of the porous layer and the dirt inlet shown;

[0092] Figure 6A An example of a sealed attachment of a porous layer surrounding a waste inlet is schematically depicted;

[0093] Figure 6B supply Figure 6A A schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary sealing attachment shown;

[0094] Figure 7A schematically depicted Figure 6A and Figure 6B The variation of the sealing attachment shown;

[0095] Figure 7B supply Figure 7A A schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary sealing attachment shown;

[0096] Figure 8 supply Figure 7A and Figure 7B A schematic cross-sectional view of the variant of the sealing attachment shown;

[0097] Figure 9 supply Figure 8 A schematic cross-sectional view of the variant of the sealing attachment shown;

[0098] Figure 10A Provides a photomicrograph of a woven fabric (in other words, cloth), with arrows indicating the main fluid delivery through the yarns in the woven fabric;

[0099] Figure 10B Provides a schematic cross-sectional view of the yarns used to weave the fabric;

[0100] Figure 10C and Figure 10D Provides a view of the theoretical model of the pores in the porous layer;

[0101] Figure 10E Provide for use Figure 10C and Figure 10D A screenshot of the hole simulation of the model shown;

[0102] Figure 10F A porous layer in the form of a twill woven mesh is shown according to an example;

[0103] Figure 10G A porous layer in the form of a perforated thin film is shown according to an example;

[0104] Figure 10H A cross-section of a porous layer in the form of a monofilament mesh, according to an example, is shown;

[0105] Figure 10I The overlapping hole size distribution of two woven fabrics is shown;

[0106] Figure 11 A test apparatus for testing the behavior of porous materials under the application of liquid and suction is schematically depicted;

[0107] Figure 12 Provide from use Figure 11 The graph shows the negative pressure versus time obtained from the test device shown.

[0108] Figure 13 Several pressure-time plots are provided for porous materials with varying numbers of porous layers.

[0109] Figure 14 The sequence of liquid transport states, intermediate states, and final states of a porous material when suction is applied is schematically depicted.

[0110] Figure 15 Several graphs are provided showing the pressure versus time for porous materials with different pore sizes;

[0111] Figure 16 An exemplary cleaner head moving on a surface to be cleaned is schematically depicted;

[0112] Figures 17 to 23 Provides a schematic cross-sectional view of the porous material mounted on the support member;

[0113] Figures 24 to 30 Various exemplary cleaner heads are schematically depicted;

[0114] Figure 31 An exemplary cleaner head is schematically depicted, which can be swung on a protruding element to bring a portion of the underside of the cleaner head into contact with the surface to be cleaned;

[0115] Figure 32A An example of a sealed attachment of a porous layer surrounding a waste inlet is schematically depicted;

[0116] Figure 32B supply Figure 32A A schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary sealing attachment shown;

[0117] Figure 33A Provides a view of the end of a cleaner head based on an example;

[0118] Figure 33B supply Figure 33A A view of the top side of the cleaner head shown;

[0119] Figure 33C A schematic cross-sectional view of a cleaner head component according to one embodiment is provided;

[0120] Figure 33D A schematic cross-sectional view of a cleaner head component according to another embodiment is provided;

[0121] Figure 33E A schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary cleaning material including another porous layer and a cleaning liquid applicator material is provided;

[0122] Figure 33F Provides including Figure 33C or Figure 33DThe cleaner head components shown are Figure 33E A perspective view of the cleaner head of the cleaning material shown;

[0123] Figure 33G Provides a micrograph of a woven fabric (in other words, cloth), with arrows indicating the capillary paths along the woven fabric;

[0124] Figure 33H A surface cleaning component is shown according to an example;

[0125] Figure 33I The image shows a "bulge" in a cleaner head, based on an example.

[0126] Figure 33J It shows Figure 33I The solution for the "bulge" shown;

[0127] Figure 34 An exemplary wet cleaning apparatus is schematically depicted before (left image), during (center image), and after (right image) the liquid is drawn through a porous material;

[0128] Figure 35 An exemplary wet cleaning device with a negative pressure generator is schematically depicted, with the negative pressure generator being activated (left-hand view) and deactivated (right-hand view).

[0129] Figure 36 A negative pressure generator in the form of a peristaltic pump is schematically depicted;

[0130] Figure 37A A plurality of pores in a porous layer of an exemplary wet cleaning device are schematically depicted;

[0131] Figure 37B schematically depicted Figure 37A Foam buildup in the wet cleaning equipment shown;

[0132] Figure 37C The operation window of the wet cleaning equipment is illustrated graphically, especially when the wet cleaning equipment is started up;

[0133] Figure 38 An exemplary wet cleaning device is schematically depicted, which includes a negative pressure generator device having a negative pressure generator, a pressure sensor, and a controller;

[0134] Figure 39 An exemplary wet cleaning device with a negative pressure generator assembly is schematically depicted, the negative pressure generator assembly having a negative pressure generator and a mechanical regulator;

[0135] Figure 40 An exemplary wet cleaning device is schematically depicted, whose negative pressure generator includes a pressure-limiting liquid pump;

[0136] Figure 41 An exemplary wet cleaning device is schematically depicted, whose negative pressure generator includes a pressure-limiting air pump;

[0137] Figure 42 An exemplary wet cleaning device in the form of a wet vacuum cleaner is schematically depicted; and

[0138] Figure 43 An exemplary wet cleaning device in the form of a robotic wet vacuum cleaner is schematically depicted. Detailed Implementation

[0139] The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0140] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatuses, systems, and methods, are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatuses, systems, and methods of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to denote the same or similar parts.

[0141] A cleaner head component for a wet cleaning apparatus is provided. The cleaner head component includes a porous layer adapted to withstand negative pressure generated by a negative pressure generator included in the wet cleaning apparatus. A plurality of pores in the porous layer extend across the thickness of the porous layer and open at opposite sides of the porous layer, and a linear central axis of each pore extends across the thickness and passes through a midpoint surrounded by the pore walls of the respective pore; the pore walls are arranged around the linear central axis. For fluid flow across the porous layer, the path of least resistance is defined along the linear central axis of the pore. A surface cleaning assembly including the cleaner head component is also provided. A wet cleaning apparatus including either the cleaner head component or the surface cleaning assembly is also provided.

[0142] Figure 1 A cleaner head 100 according to a non-limiting example is shown. Specifically, Figure 1 The bottom side 102 of the cleaner head 100 is shown. The bottom side 102 faces the surface to be cleaned using the cleaner head 100. Figure 1 (Not visible in the middle).

[0143] from Figure 1As can be clearly seen in the view provided, the cleaner head 100 includes at least one cleaning liquid outlet 104. Cleaning liquid can be delivered, for example, through each of the at least one cleaning liquid outlet 104. It should be noted that at least one cleaning liquid outlet does not need to be located on the bottom side 102 of the cleaner head 100, and may instead be located elsewhere in the cleaner head 100, as long as the cleaning liquid can be delivered via the cleaning liquid outlet to reach the surface to be cleaned.

[0144] Cleaning liquids may include or consist of water. Therefore, cleaning liquids can be aqueous cleaning liquids. In some non-limiting examples, which will be discussed in more detail below, the cleaning liquid is an aqueous solution of detergent.

[0145] exist Figure 1 In the non-limiting example shown, the cleaning liquid outlets 104 are arranged in a row along the length 106 of the cleaner head 100. This helps the cleaner head 100 to wet the surface to be cleaned with cleaning liquid along the length 106 of the cleaner head 100. Nevertheless, it should be noted that any suitable construction or pattern of the cleaning liquid outlets 104 is conceivable, provided that the other components of the cleaner head 100 are feasible.

[0146] exist Figure 1 In the specific example shown, the cleaner head 100 includes sixteen cleaning liquid outlets 104. Note that more cleaning liquid outlets 104 can help increase the uniformity of wetting of the surface to be cleaned. However, any suitable number of cleaning liquid outlets 104 can be provided in the cleaner head 100, such as one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty or more.

[0147] In such Figure 1 In some embodiments shown, the cleaner head 100 includes a cleaning fluid dispensing strip 108. As shown, at least some, or in this example all, of the cleaning fluid outlets 104 may be included in the cleaning fluid dispensing strip 108.

[0148] Figure 2 Provided including Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a cleaning fluid dispensing strip 108 in an exemplary cleaner head 100 is shown. In this non-limiting example, the cleaning fluid dispensing strip 108 includes a channel 110, which can, for example, dispense from a suitable cleaning fluid reservoir ( Figure 2 (Not visible in the middle) Cleaning liquid is supplied via inlet 112.

[0149] exist Figure 2In the example shown, inlet 112 is located at or near the end of the cleaning liquid dispensing strip 108; however, it is also conceivable that inlet 112 is located at a central position along the length of the cleaning liquid dispensing strip 108. Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning liquid dispensing strip 108 includes a plurality of inlets 112, for example, a pair of inlets 112 arranged at opposite ends of the cleaning liquid dispensing strip 108.

[0150] The cleaning fluid can exit through openings in the cleaning fluid distribution strip 108 that define the cleaning fluid outlet 104. These openings can be sized such that while the channel 110 is filled, the flow of the cleaning fluid (e.g., an aqueous cleaning fluid) through the openings is restricted due to the surface tension of the cleaning fluid, but once the channel 110 is filled, the cleaning fluid is allowed to flow through all the openings in the cleaning fluid distribution strip 108. This allows the surface to be cleaned to be relatively uniformly wetted along the entire length 106 of the cleaner head 100.

[0151] For this purpose, each cleaning liquid outlet 104 may have a diameter of, for example, less than 1 mm, such as a diameter in the range of 0.1 mm to 1 mm, preferably 0.1 mm to 0.8 mm, most preferably 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, such as about 0.3 mm.

[0152] The cleaning liquid dispensing strip 108 can be formed from any suitable material, such as metal, metal alloy (e.g., stainless steel), and / or polymer. Forming the cleaning liquid dispensing strip 108 from a polymer allows it to be manufactured more lightly and / or at a lower cost.

[0153] Back Figure 1 The cleaner head 100 may include a porous layer 114. Although in Figure 1 It is not visible in the center, but the cleaner head 100 has at least one dirt inlet. Each dirt inlet is covered by a porous layer 114.

[0154] More generally, the porous layer 114 may include a cleaner head component, or in some embodiments, may define a cleaner head component.

[0155] For example, this cleaner head component can be attached to and / or detached from the cleaner head 100.

[0156] The surface tension of the liquid retained in the pores of the porous layer 114 helps maintain negative pressure. This surface tension can be overcome at points (or points) on the outer surface 116 of the porous layer 114 in contact with the liquid, thereby allowing the liquid to be transported through the porous layer 114 in the direction of the dirt inlet, which will be explained in more detail below.

[0157] The porous layer 114 can be arranged between the dirt inlet and the surface to be cleaned, so that the dirt liquid on the surface to be cleaned is first transported into the pores of the porous layer 114, and then enters the dirt inlet from the porous layer 114.

[0158] Figure 1 The view provided shows the outer surface 116 of the porous layer 114, which faces (although it may not be in contact with) the surface to be cleaned.

[0159] A porous layer 114 covering each of at least one of the sludge inlets can help maintain negative pressure in the sludge inlets with or without a constant flow rate, for example, through a negative pressure generator, such as a pump, fluidly connected to the sludge inlets.

[0160] In such Figure 1 In some of the embodiments shown, the porous layer 114 is elongated, thus having a maximum dimension that extends parallel to the length 106 of the cleaner head 100.

[0161] exist Figure 1 In the non-limiting example shown, the porous layer 114 is positioned at different locations relative to the cleaning liquid outlet 104 along the width 118 of the cleaner head 100.

[0162] In such Figure 1 In some of the depicted embodiments, the cleaner head 100 includes a portion 120 for facing the surface to be cleaned. One or more cleaning liquid outlets 104 may be arranged to deliver cleaning liquid to the portion 120 of the cleaner head 100.

[0163] Although Figure 1 Not visible in the provided view, the protruding element may be mounted adjacent to portion 120, wherein the protruding element protrudes from the cleaner head 100 in the direction of the surface to be cleaned. The protruding element can be considered as an element mounted separately in the cleaner head 100 relative to portion 120.

[0164] In some embodiments, the protruding element is included in the cleaner head component together with the porous layer 114.

[0165] Due to the protruding nature of the protruding element, it can have limited contact with the surface to be cleaned. For example, compared to part 120, the protruding element can have a smaller contact area with the surface to be cleaned.

[0166] In at least some embodiments, the protruding element includes a porous layer 114. Therefore, due to the limited contact area between the porous material (though not necessarily a porous layer) and the surface to be cleaned, the resistance to movement of the cleaner head 100 on the surface to be cleaned can be reduced. This will be referred to below. Figure 31 Further detailed description.

[0167] In some embodiments, the cleaner head 100 may swing along a first direction on the protruding element to bring the portion 120 into contact with the surface to be cleaned, and swing along a second direction opposite to the first direction on the protruding element to separate the portion 120 from the surface to be cleaned.

[0168] In such an embodiment, the protruding element can be thought of as a rocker arm that allows the cleaner head 100 to swing onto the portion 120. To achieve this swinging function, the contact between the protruding element and the surface to be cleaned is limited.

[0169] In some embodiments, such as in Figure 3 In the non-limiting example shown, the cleaner head 100 includes a portion 120 for facing the surface to be cleaned and another portion 122. In such an embodiment, a porous layer 114 may be arranged between portion 120 and the other portion 122.

[0170] Although Figure 3 Not visible in the provided view, but when the cleaner head 100 includes the aforementioned protruding element, the protruding element can be mounted between portion 120 and the other portion 122. Therefore, the protruding element can be an element mounted separately relative to portion 120 and the other portion 122. In this way, the cleaner head 100 can swing forward on the protruding element to bring portion 120 into contact with the surface to be cleaned, and swing backward to bring the other portion 122 into contact with the surface to be cleaned.

[0171] Regardless of whether the cleaner head 100 includes protruding elements, the cleaning liquid outlet 104 can be arranged to deliver cleaning liquid to part 120 and another part 122 of the cleaner head 100.

[0172] exist Figure 3 In the non-limiting example shown, the cleaner head 100 includes a cleaning liquid dispensing strip 108 and another cleaning liquid dispensing strip 124. An opening in the cleaning liquid dispensing strip 108 defines a cleaning liquid outlet 104 that delivers cleaning liquid to the portion 120, as described above relative to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The other opening of the other cleaning liquid dispensing strip 124 defines a cleaning liquid outlet 104, which delivers cleaning liquid to another portion 122.

[0173] Both the cleaning liquid dispensing strip 108 and another cleaning liquid dispensing strip 124 can extend parallel to the length 106 of the cleaner head 100, such as Figure 3 As shown.

[0174] In such Figure 4In some of the depicted embodiments, the cleaner head 100 includes cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 adjacent to each of at least one cleaning liquid outlet 104, the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 being arranged to apply cleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned. In other words, the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 are capable of receiving cleaning liquid delivered from the cleaning liquid outlet 104 and transferring cleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned.

[0175] The cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 may include, for example, polyamide and / or polyester fibers.

[0176] Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 include a combination of finer and coarser fibers.

[0177] The finer fibers can be, for example, less than or equal to 1 dtex, and the coarser fibers can have a thickness greater than 0.01 mm, for example, the thickness of the coarser fibers can be about 0.05 mm.

[0178] Coarser fibers, which may be made of polyamide or polyester, can help reduce friction between the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 and the surface to be cleaned, while finer fibers, such as those made of polyamide or polyester, can help enhance dirt retention.

[0179] The coarser fibers also provide elasticity to the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126 and 128, thereby minimizing the compaction of the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126 and 128.

[0180] The reduced compaction capability of coarser fibers is particularly useful in embodiments where cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 are included in portions 120 and / or 122 adjacent to the protruding element rocker arm. This is because minimized compaction helps ensure, during continued use of the cleaner head 100, a consistent degree of oscillation on the protruding element causes the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 to contact the surface to be cleaned.

[0181] Alternatively or additionally, the thickness of the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 may be selected or limited, for example, taking into account the degree of protrusion of the protruding element relative to portion 120 and / or another portion 122, so as to minimize the compaction of the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 during use of the cleaner head 100.

[0182] In embodiments where the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 comprise a combination of finer and coarser fibers, these fibers can be arranged relative to each other in any suitable manner. For example, the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 may include coarser fiber strips adjacent to the finer fiber strips. These strips may each extend along the length 106 of the cleaner head 100 such that the fiber thickness alternates in the width 118 direction. This configuration helps reduce friction as the cleaner head 100 moves in a direction parallel to the width 118 direction.

[0183] In embodiments where the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 comprise both polyamide and polyester fibers, these fibers can be arranged relative to each other in any suitable manner. For example, the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 may include polyamide fiber strips adjacent to polyester fiber strips. These strips may each extend along the length 106 of the cleaner head 100 such that the fiber types alternate in the width 118 direction.

[0184] The cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 may include, for example, a backing layer of support material (e.g., polyamide and / or polyester fiber material) that contacts the surface to be cleaned. The backing layer may be formed of any suitable backing fabric material, such as polyester.

[0185] This backing layer may have tufts, such as tufts formed of polyamide and / or polyester fibers. These tufts can help the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 conform to the contour of the surface to be cleaned and / or help the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 retain dirt particles while minimizing the risk of scratching the surface to be cleaned.

[0186] In some embodiments, the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 may be removed from each of at least one of the cleaning liquid outlets 104. This allows for the replacement of the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128, for example, once the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 have become excessively worn, and / or allows the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 to be cleaned between uses.

[0187] Cleaning liquid applicator materials 126 and 128 can be attached to the cleaner head 100 in any suitable manner, especially in Figures 1 to 4 In the non-limiting example shown, the bottom side 102 is attached to the cleaner head 100.

[0188] Back Figure 3The depicted cleaner head 100 includes at least one fastening member 130A, 130B, 132A, 132B, which in this example are in the form of Velcro strips, engaging with another fastening member (not visible) on the cleaning liquid applicator material 126 / 128. This other fastening member may, for example, be included in or fixed to the aforementioned backing layer of the cleaning liquid applicator material 126 / 128.

[0189] Alternative methods for attaching (e.g., detachably attaching) the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 to (e.g., to) the cleaner head 100 and, in particular, to at least one cleaning liquid outlet 104 are conceivable, such as using a ejector, a button-button hole arrangement, a zipper, etc.

[0190] In such Figure 4 In some of the depicted embodiments, the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 include a first applicator portion 126 and a second applicator portion 128, with a porous layer 114 disposed between the first applicator portion 126 and the second applicator portion 128.

[0191] When the first applicator portion 126 is included in the cleaner head 100, the first applicator portion 126 may be included in the aforementioned portion 120 of the cleaner head 100.

[0192] In embodiments where the cleaning liquid applicator material (e.g., the first applicator portion 126) is included in portion 120, the portion may be adapted to contact the surface to be cleaned and facilitate cleaning of the surface, for example by assisting in the application of the cleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned.

[0193] However, it is also conceivable that the cleaning liquid applicator material is not included in part 120, for example, no such cleaning liquid applicator material is supplied to the cleaner head 100. In this case, although the cleaning liquid applicator material (e.g., the first applicator part 126) may be included in part 120, part 120 may still be suitable for contacting the surface to be cleaned (part 120 can contact the surface to be cleaned even if it is not required that part 120 include the cleaning liquid applicator material).

[0194] The first applicator portion 126 may include the other fastening member described above, which engages with fastening members 130A and 130B disposed on the cleaner head 100 to attach the first applicator portion 126 to portion 120.

[0195] Similarly, when the second applicator portion 128 is included in the cleaner head 100, the second applicator portion 128 may be included in the other portion 122 of the cleaner head 100 as described above.

[0196] In such an embodiment, the second applicator portion 128 may include the other fastening member described above, which engages with fastening members 132A, 132B disposed on the cleaner head 100 to attach the second applicator portion 128 to another portion 122.

[0197] In some embodiments, at least one cleaning liquid outlet 104 includes at least one pair of cleaning liquid outlets 104, with a porous layer 114 disposed between each pair of cleaning liquid outlets 104.

[0198] In embodiments where the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 include a first applicator portion 126 and a second applicator portion 128, the first applicator portion 126 may be adjacent to one of the pair of cleaning liquid outlets 104, and the second applicator portion 128 may be adjacent to the other of the pair of cleaning liquid outlets 104. Figure 3 and Figure 4 An example of this is shown in the figure.

[0199] In at least some embodiments, a porous material (though not necessarily the porous layer 114 included in the porous material) contacts the cleaning liquid applicator fabric 126, 128, the pores of which transport the liquid to the dirt inlet.

[0200] Although the porous materials contact the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128, these materials can also be arranged to contact the surface to be cleaned. This can be achieved in any suitable manner. In, for example... Figure 3 and Figure 4 In some embodiments shown, the edge portion 134 of the porous material abuts the opposing edge portion 136 of the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128. Therefore, the cleaning liquid can be initially delivered to the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128, and subsequently delivered from the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 only via the adjacent edge portions 134, 136 of the respective materials into the porous material. This can provide enhanced control over the humidity of the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128.

[0201] In embodiments where the cleaner head 100 includes the aforementioned protruding element, adjacent opposing edge portions 134, 136 of the porous material and cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 are preferably positioned between the protruding element and portion 120. In this way, excess cleaning liquid squeezed out from the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 between the protruding element and the cleaner head 100, for example by oscillating the cleaner head 100 through the protruding element, can be effectively delivered through the porous material to the dirt inlet.

[0202] Note that contact between the porous material and the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 can be provided on the contact side of the surface of the material to be cleaned. This helps to prevent the cleaning liquid from directly entering the porous material without properly wetting the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 or rinsing the porous material.

[0203] Figure 5A A plan view is provided showing a porous layer 114 and at least one dirt inlet 142A, 142B of an exemplary cleaner head 100. Figure 5B supply Figure 5A A schematic cross-sectional view of the porous layer 114 and at least one dirt inlet 142A, 142B shown.

[0204] In such Figure 5A and Figure 5B In some embodiments shown, each of at least one of the waste inlets 142A, 142B is defined by an opening that is in fluid communication with or can be connected to a negative pressure generator (in Figure 5A and Figure 5B One or more tubes 144A, 144B (not visible in the middle).

[0205] exist Figure 5A and Figure 5B In the non-limiting example shown, the cleaner head 100 includes a pair of waste inlets 142A, 142B, but any suitable number of waste inlets 142A, 142B can be contemplated, such as one, two, three, four, five, six or more.

[0206] When multiple waste inlets 142A, 142B are included in the cleaner head 100, they may, for example, have the same size as each other.

[0207] Alternatively or additionally, when using multiple (e.g., a pair) waste inlets 142A, 142B, the waste inlets 142A, 142B may be spaced apart along the length 106 of the cleaner head 100, thereby providing relatively uniform suction along the length 106 of the cleaner head 100. For example, the distance between the center of the cleaner head 100 and the center of the waste inlet 142A along the length 106 may be the same or substantially the same as the distance between the center of the waste inlet 142B and the center of the waste inlet along the length 106.

[0208] If a single waste inlet is used, it can be positioned at the center of the cleaner head 100 to provide a relatively symmetrical suction pattern along the length 106 of the cleaner head 100.

[0209] More generally, the liquid pickup area PR of the porous layer 114 can be defined by a sealing attachment around each of, for example, at least one of the dirt inlets 142A, 142B of the porous layer 114.

[0210] This sealing attachment helps maintain negative pressure in the covered dirt inlets 142A, 142B because leakage of negative pressure through dirt inlets 142A, 142B and the porous layer 114 is minimized or prevented.

[0211] The sealing attachment can be achieved in any suitable manner, for example by gluing and / or welding a porous layer 114 around each of at least one of the sewage inlets 142A, 142B, such as gluing and / or welding the porous layer 114 to the pipes 144A, 144B around the openings defining the sewage inlets 142A, 142B.

[0212] It is worth mentioning that the porous layer 114 is sealed to the waste inlets 142A and 142B by heat sealing (e.g., ultrasonic welding). It has been found that this provides a particularly airtight seal in a direct manner, which helps to maintain negative pressure in the waste inlets 142A and 142B.

[0213] Reference Figure 5B , Figure 6A and Figure 6B A non-limiting example of the sealed attachment of the porous layer 114 to the dirt inlets 142A, 142B is achieved by a cleaner head 100, which includes an impermeable portion 146 sealed to the porous layer 114 (e.g., sealed to the inner surface 148 of the porous layer 114) and surrounding the dirt inlets 142A, 142B, thereby exposing the dirt inlets 142A, 142B to a sealed cavity 150 between the porous layer 114 and the impermeable portion 146.

[0214] The impermeable portion 146 may, for example, comprise a polymer membrane, such as a thermoplastic membrane, or be composed of a polymer membrane. Various alternative sealing arrangements are described below, some of which do not include such a polymer membrane.

[0215] exist Figure 6A and Figure 6B In the non-limiting example shown, a seal 152 formed, for example via an adhesive and / or weld of an impermeable portion 146 (e.g., a polymer membrane), extends around the periphery of the porous layer 114 and around the dirt inlets 142A, 142B.

[0216] In such Figure 7A and Figure 7BIn at least some of the embodiments shown, the liquid pickup area PR is arranged relative to at least one cleaning liquid outlet 104 to allow the cleaning liquid to bypass, for example, around the periphery of the liquid pickup area PR, to reach or at least point toward the surface to be cleaned.

[0217] This allows the cleaning liquid to be used more effectively. This is because the cleaning liquid has a greater chance of reaching the surface to be cleaned, for example, through the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 described above (when included in the cleaner head 100).

[0218] In other examples, the porous layer 114 may be at least partially drawn around the dirt inlets 142A, 142B by the flow provided by the negative pressure generator, and attached to (e.g., against) the cleaner head 100 or a component of the cleaner head 100.

[0219] In some embodiments, the cleaner head 100 includes a liquid delivery support structure 154 located in a cavity 150, the liquid delivery support structure 154 being arranged to provide one or more flow paths in a liquid pickup area PR between a porous layer 114 (particularly the pores of the porous layer 114) and at least one dirt inlet 142A, 142B.

[0220] The porous layer 114 and / or the impermeable portion 146 (e.g., a polymer membrane) may be flexible, such that negative pressure can cause the porous layer 114 and the impermeable portion 146 to pull toward each other. This may pose a risk of restricting the flow of liquid from the porous layer 114 to at least one contaminant inlet 142A, 142B. Although the porous layer 114 and the impermeable portion 146 are pulled toward each other, the liquid delivery support structure 154 can help ensure that liquid can still be delivered from the porous layer 114 (particularly the pores of the porous layer 114) to at least one contaminant inlet 142A, 142B.

[0221] The liquid transport support structure 154 can be implemented in any suitable manner. Figure 7A and Figure 7B In the non-limiting example shown, the liquid delivery support structure 154 includes one or more coarse-mesh layers, or is defined by one or more such coarse-mesh layers. In such an example, the one or more flow paths may be provided by the space between the elements constituting the coarse-mesh layers. Alternative examples of the liquid delivery support structure 154 will be described below.

[0222] In some embodiments, in addition to porous layer 114, the porous material may include one or more other porous layers 156, 158. Examples are shown in... Figure 8 and Figure 9 As described in the text.

[0223] At this point, it should be noted that when the porous material is dry, it can be considered to be in an "air-transporting state," where air is transported through each dry pore of the porous material. A "liquid-transporting state" corresponds to the transport of liquid (e.g., water) through the (wetted) pores of the porous material. When liquid is no longer supplied to the pores, a "fluid-blocking state" can be employed. A "fluid-blocking state" corresponds to the state where the surface tension of the (residual) liquid retained in the wetted pores of the porous material prevents fluid transport through the pores. In the latter state, a surface or barrier is created at the boundary between air and liquid (e.g., water). This barrier helps maintain the aforementioned negative pressure in the contaminant inlets 142A and 142B. The pressure required to "break" this barrier can be called the "breaking pressure."

[0224] This disclosure is based, at least in part, on the understanding that the shape of the hole can have a very significant effect on the failure pressure.

[0225] Figure 10A Provides microscopic images showing the yarns of woven fabrics. Figure 10A The arrows in the diagram are intended to indicate the primary fluid transport that occurs on this type of woven fabric. This primary fluid transport can occur through the yarns of the fabric.

[0226] In particular, and referring to Figure 10B The cross-sectional view of the yarn provided shows that the holes 159 in this woven fabric can be defined by closely stacked individual fibers.

[0227] from Figure 10B It is evident that the cross-section of each orifice 159 is not perfectly circular, but rather approximately triangular. Furthermore, the "ends" of these orifices 159 may be difficult to define. The water-air surface needs to "anchor" itself to the orifice 159 in order to withstand its full potential (damaging) pressure. These characteristics (in other words, the orifice shape and orifice edges) are considered to have a significant impact on the damaging pressure, as described in more detail below.

[0228] The pore diameter of a woven fabric is determined by passing dirty water containing particles of a specific size through the fabric. It is determined that the pores in the woven fabric (i.e., cloth) are less than 5 μm.

[0229] As a reference, a theoretical model of Kong 159 was developed. In this model, a reference... Figure 10C and Figure 10D Hole 159 is described through the center of the annular element.

[0230] The model uses the following parameters: (i) geometric information about the pore 159 (fiber and pore diameter); (ii) surface tension of water; and (iii) contact angle between the water-based materials (in other words, the materials that constitute the porous layer 114).

[0231] Using this information, water-air films are placed at multiple locations along the circumference of the fibrous material, such as... Figure 10E As shown.

[0232] Reference Figure 10E The surface to be cleaned, 160, is separated from the contaminant inlets 142A and 142B, 161, by a pattern hole 159. The cross-section of the pattern hole 159 is represented by a patterned circle. Reference numeral 162 indicates a liquid, such as water. Different positions of the water-air film are represented by lines between the patterned circles. Figure 10E The lower curve shown illustrates the pressure difference required to maintain this position.

[0233] The following reference will be used. Figure 11 When the experimental results obtained from the described apparatus were compared with those from the theoretical model, it became clear that the bursting pressure predicted by the theoretical model was approximately 9.5 times higher than the bursting pressure measured for woven fabrics. Therefore, geometric factors are considered to contribute to the difference in bursting pressure.

[0234] In this regard, this disclosure relates to the definition of the holes 159 in the porous layer 114. Specifically, such holes 159 extend across the thickness of the porous layer 114 and open at opposite sides of the porous layer 114, with a linear central axis 163 of each hole 159 extending across the thickness and passing through a midpoint 164 surrounded by the hole walls 165 of the corresponding hole 159. The hole walls 165 are arranged around the linear central axis 163. Each hole 159 in the porous layer 114 can therefore be considered as a through-hole extending axially through the thickness of the porous layer 114.

[0235] For fluid flow across the porous layer 114, the path of least resistance is defined along the linear central axis 163 of the pore 159.

[0236] The pores 159 of the porous layer 114, whose linear central axis 163 extends across the thickness of the porous layer 114 and through the midpoint 164 surrounded by the pore walls 165 of the respective pores 159, are considered to be better defined than, for example, pores 159 defined between fibers in a woven fabric.

[0237] This disclosure is based, at least in part, on the understanding that such well-defined pores 159 can be selected to be physically larger than the less well-defined pores 159 of other types of porous materials, while still providing comparable breaking pressure. Because the well-defined pores 159 can be made physically larger while achieving a given breaking pressure, they are less prone to clogging by contaminant particles.

[0238] In some embodiments, the pore diameter or D of the porous layer 114 孔 Less than 18μm.

[0239] In some embodiments, the porous layer 114 is a mesh, such as a monofilament mesh. Figure 10F Examples of this type of net are shown, particularly monofilament nets.

[0240] In the case of a mesh, the aperture 159 can be defined by the mesh's threads (e.g., polymer threads) being woven and / or welded.

[0241] In some embodiments, the porous layer 114 is a plain weave or twill weave web. An example of the latter is... Figure 10F As shown. Both plain and twill weaves can provide holes 159 with polygonal (e.g., square) cross-sectional shapes.

[0242] It has been found that plain weave can provide higher breaking pressure than twill weave. In other words, for a given breaking pressure, plain weave webs allow for larger apertures (159) than twill weave webs.

[0243] In some embodiments, the porous layer 114 is a perforated film. Figure 10G An example of this is shown in the figure.

[0244] In the case of a perforated film, the aperture 159 can be defined, for example, by subjecting the film (e.g., a polymer film) to laser ablation. In such embodiments, the aperture 159 can have a polygonal (e.g., square) or circular cross-sectional shape.

[0245] This type of network (e.g.) Figure 10H The monofilament mesh shown in the micrograph) or perforated film can represent a relatively straightforward way of providing holes 159 having the aforementioned defined geometry. In particular, meshes and perforated films can contain holes 159 that are significantly better defined than those in woven fabrics (see again). Figure 10A The shape of the holes 159 in the mesh and perforated film can be more closely approximated. Figures 10C to 10E The shape of the model hole 159 shown can better define its edges (anchoring structure).

[0246] The study revealed the relationship between breaking pressure and pore shape, as shown in Table 1 below. Table 1 clearly shows that when changing from a woven fabric with poorly defined pore shape to a woven web with better defined pore shape, the same or at least comparable breaking pressure can be achieved at a much larger physical pore size compared to the woven fabric. Table 1

[0247] By using a limiting pore diameter of 105 μm or less, as measured by ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, the porous layer 114 is trapped to provide sufficient breaking pressure. The upper limit of 105 μm for the limiting pore diameter, equivalent to a minimum bubble point pressure of 2000 Pa, helps ensure that the porous layer 114 can maintain sufficient negative pressure, as described in more detail below.

[0248] The well-defined pores 159 of the porous layer 114 contrast with the pores 159 defined between the fibers of the woven fabric, in which a range of contact angles is effectively provided around the surface defining a given pore 159 within the fibers of the woven fabric. The shapes of the upstream and downstream openings of such woven fabric pores 159 are also not as well-defined as the upstream and downstream edges of the porous layer 114. This means that, in the case of the pores 159 of the woven fabric, there may always be positions within the pores 159 where the contact angle reaches its limit, causing the liquid barrier to lose its position. The resulting barrier movement can increase the surface area of ​​pressure action; the increased total force acting on the barrier makes it more difficult for the rest of the barrier to maintain its position, leading to further movement, and so on. This problem can be solved by the well-defined pore geometry of each pore 159 of the porous layer 114 according to the invention.

[0249] In summary, the contact angle between the liquid and the surface of the porous layer 114 can always exist; an increase in pressure can cause the barrier edge to move to a new equilibrium position; if this movement occurs while the barrier remains relatively small, a higher breaking pressure can be obtained; if this movement occurs while the surface area of ​​the barrier is significantly increased, the breaking pressure may be lower.

[0250] The plurality of pores 159 in the porous layer 114 may each have a polygonal or circular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the linear central axis 163. For example, the plurality of pores 159 in the porous layer 114 may each have a square cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the linear central axis 163. This polygonal (e.g., square) or circular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the linear central axis 163 can mean that the pore walls 165 provide a uniform surface, particularly at a relatively well-defined edge between the surface of the pore walls 165 and the outer surface of one or both sides of the porous layer 114. This helps to increase the breaking pressure.

[0251] The edge between the surface of the pore wall 165 and the outer surface of the porous layer 114 can, for example, have a radius of curvature of 0.1 μm to 3 μm.

[0252] Such a radius of curvature (which can be significantly smaller than the orifice radius) can help prevent the size growth of the liquid-air interface / surface when pressure is applied. This prevents an increase in forces on the surface (force equals pressure multiplied by area), and therefore prevents the edges of the surface from overloading more quickly, thus preventing surface collapse (damage).

[0253] Compared to poorly defined pores 159 between fibers in woven fabrics, pores 159 with polygonal (e.g., square) or circular cross-sectional shapes can provide higher breaking pressure, even with relatively large pore sizes. This larger pore size can in turn help reduce pore clogging by dirt particles.

[0254] It has been found that the overall cylindrical circular cross-sectional shape of the hole 159, or the polygonal (e.g. square) cross-sectional shape of the hole 159 which is typically prismatic (e.g., cube or cubic), can contribute to an increase in the breaking pressure associated with the hole geometry (see Table 1 above again).

[0255] In some embodiments, the porous layer 114 is formed of a material having a water contact angle of less than 90°. Such a contact angle means that the porous layer 114 can be properly wetted by an aqueous liquid on the surface to be cleaned.

[0256] In some embodiments, the porous layer 114 is formed of polyester and / or polyamide. Such materials have been found to be suitably hydrophilic so that the porous layer can be adequately wetted by water, such as water received from a cleaned surface.

[0257] The hydrophilicity of polyamides (such as nylon) is particularly suitable for porous layers. Polyesters can also provide suitable hydrophilicity, especially after plasma treatment of polyesters.

[0258] In a specific, non-limiting example, the porous layer 114 (e.g., a mesh) is formed of nylon 6,6.

[0259] The relatively high hydrophilicity of certain polyamides can contribute to their performance in cleaning wetted surfaces using water-based cleaning liquids.

[0260] Polyamide (e.g., nylon 6,6) webs with a physical pore size of 18 μm can achieve a level of breaking pressure comparable to that of woven fabrics (in other words, cloth).

[0261] In a particularly preferred, non-limiting example, a polyamide (e.g., nylon 6,6) mesh with a physical pore size of 11 μm is included as a porous layer 114 in the cleaner head component.

[0262] This can provide relatively strong negative pressure retention even when another porous layer 156 (e.g., a woven fabric) is not provided on the porous layer 114.

[0263] More generally, the material forming the porous layer 114 can be selected to be as hydrophilic, as robust, as chemically inert as possible, and with the desired pore size available. This requirement can be met, for example, by webs and perforated films formed from polyester and / or polyamide.

[0264] Another porous layer 156 may be washable, for example, after each use, while the cleaner head assembly may remain attached to the wet cleaning device / part of the wet cleaning apparatus. Therefore, ideally, the cleaner head assembly may require little or no maintenance. Thus, it is desirable to minimize the risk of dirt particles clogging the pores 159 of the porous layer 114 included in the cleaner head assembly.

[0265] In some embodiments, the pores 159 of the porous layer 114 may have a pore size distribution that is selected to be separate from, in other words, non-overlapping with, the pore size distribution of another porous layer 156 disposed on the porous layer 114. In particular, the pore size distribution of the porous layer 114 may be transformed into a pore size larger than that of the other porous layer 156.

[0266] This could mean that when porous layer 114 and another porous layer 156 are subjected to negative pressure, contaminant particles small enough to initially pass through the other porous layer 156 also pass through porous layer 114. This makes porous layer 114 less prone to clogging by such contaminant particles during use.

[0267] As a comparative example, Figure 10I The overlapping pore size distribution of the two woven fabric layers is shown, which results in the downstream woven fabric layer being clogged by dirt particles that initially passed through the upstream woven fabric layer.

[0268] The clogging of the other porous layer 156 caused by such dirt particles can be resolved, for example, by removing another porous layer 156 from the porous layer 114, so that the other porous layer 156 can be cleaned and / or replaced.

[0269] Figure 11 An exemplary test apparatus 166 is schematically depicted for testing the destructive pressure characteristics of a porous material 168 (e.g., porous layer 114). The porous material 168 is clamped between a clamping member 170 and a substrate 172. The clamping member 170 defines a hole for a bolt 174, which is received in a threaded hole in the substrate 172. Rotating the bolt 174 in the appropriate direction allows the porous material 168 to be clamped / released.

[0270] In this specific example, the clamping member 170 is an aluminum ring with a thickness of 10 mm, and the substrate 172 is made of poly(methyl methacrylate) with a thickness of 10 mm. The sample of porous material is a disk with a diameter of 140 mm. The sample is secured using eight bolts 174.

[0271] The contaminant inlet 142A in the test apparatus 166 is defined by the opening of the delivery pipe 176 provided in the substrate 172. The liquid delivery support structure 154 described above is provided in the cavity between the porous material 168 and the contaminant inlet 142A. In this case, the liquid delivery support structure 154 is in the form of a coarse mesh with a diameter of 80 mm.

[0272] The testing apparatus 166 includes a negative pressure generator 178 for generating negative pressure in the waste inlet 142A and a pressure sensor 180, such as a pressure gauge, arranged to measure the pressure in the waste inlet 142A.

[0273] In this specific example, the pressure sensor 180 includes a pressure gauge combined with a data acquisition unit (LabQuest®2) to enable monitoring of pressure as a function of time.

[0274] In this specific example, the negative pressure generator 178 is in the form of a peristaltic pump or a syringe pump, such as a 250 mL syringe pump. A peristaltic pump can provide a pulsed flow of water. It has been found that syringe pumps allow for more precise measurements than peristaltic pumps.

[0275] The test apparatus 166 also includes a chamber-shaped pressure line filter 182, which is arranged to prevent liquid from entering the pressure sensor line 184 connecting the pressure line filter 182 and the pressure sensor 180. Downstream of the pressure line filter 182 and the pump 178 is a collection reservoir 186 for collecting the liquid pumped through the porous material 168.

[0276] The testing procedure includes clamping a sample of porous material 168 between a clamping member 170 and a substrate 172, and then setting a pump 178 to deliver 100 cm⁻¹ of material. 3 The flow rate is [value missing]. Check the pressure line filter 182 to ensure it is empty. Zero the pressure sensor 180 gauge and reconnect it before each measurement. Then, [missing information - likely a 25cm] flow rate. 3 Water was poured onto the porous material 168 sample, leaving a water layer approximately 4 mm deep. A rinsing operation was then performed by starting pump 178, drawing water through the porous material 168 sample. After the rinsing operation, pump 178 was stopped, and a 25 cm³ section of water was drained from the sample. 3 Water is poured onto the sample of porous material 168, and the measurement operation is carried out by triggering the data acquisition unit to start data acquisition and starting the pump 178.

[0277] Figure 12The diagram provides a typical graph of negative pressure versus time from data acquisition, along with a schematic of the porous material 168. Initially, the “liquid delivery state” 188 described above is used, where liquid 190 (water in this example) is delivered through (pre-wetted) holes 159. The “delivery pressure” recorded in this case corresponds to the pressure difference required to deliver liquid 190 through the porous material 168 and the coarse-mesh liquid delivery support structure 154.

[0278] The governing equations describing the "liquid transport state" 188 can be the following Poiseuille equations:

[0279]

[0280] Where ΔP is the pressure difference across orifice 159; η is the dynamic viscosity of the liquid; L is the length of orifice 159; φ is the volumetric flow rate; and r is the radius of orifice 159.

[0281] For example, assuming a pore diameter of 20 μm and a pore extension spanning a porous material 168 with a thickness of 0.8 mm, the estimated volumetric flow rate is approximately 4.96 per pore 159. 10 -14 m 3 / s / (from 100cm) 3 (typical fluid flow rate per minute), and η 水 1 10 -3 Pa·s, ΔP=10.1Pa.

[0282] Following the "liquid delivery state" 188, an intermediate state 194 is adopted, in which almost all of the liquid 190 has been removed from the surface of the porous material 168 sample, leaving most of the pores in the aforementioned "fluid blockage state," where the surface tension of the (residual) liquid 190 retained in the wetting pores of the porous material 168 prevents air 196 from being transported through the pores 159. In intermediate state 194, the number of pores 159 that can be in the "liquid delivery state" continuously decreases. The "fluid blockage state" allows for significantly higher negative pressures, and therefore, during intermediate state 194, as shown, the negative pressure increases relatively rapidly.

[0283] The governing equations describing the "fluid blockage state" can be the following Droplet dP equations:

[0284]

[0285] Where Pi and P0 are the internal and external pressures, and R is the fluid droplet radius, as shown below. Figure 12 As shown schematically. T is the surface tension.

[0286] For example, assuming a typical 20μm diameter hole 159, R is 10μm, T 水 The value is 0.073 N / m, and Pi-Po=AP=14600 Pa.

[0287] Note that the described approximation assumes the droplet wall can reach a 90° angle relative to the surface of the porous material 168. However, in ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A as described below, the limiting pore diameter d is given by d = Cγ / p, where γ is the surface tension in mM / m (72.75 for distilled water at 20°C), and C is 2860 when p is in Pa. The reason C is 2860 instead of 4000 is as follows: C = 4000 when using the Droplet dP equation with the same units. cosθ, where θ is the contact angle between the liquid and the material, and for the purpose of determining the required limiting orifice diameter according to standard methods, θ is assumed to be 44.3° (for reference, further explanation is provided in ASTM E3278-21). The same 44.3° contact angle is used for the 20 μm diameter orifice example above, with ΔP = 10449 Pa (refer to the 14600 Pa value given above).

[0288] When detergent is added to water, the AP from the Droplet dP equation above (14600 Pa) can increase to 18000 Pa. The surface tension of water decreases (T) upon addition of detergent. 肥皂水 (At 0.045 N / m), two surfaces are now created in the bubble above pore 159: the inside and the outside of the bubble. Therefore, the destructive pressure when detergent is added to the water can be approximately twice that of a single-layer surface.

[0289]

[0290] Following intermediate state 194, final state 198 is adopted, in which all free water has been removed from the surface of porous material 168, and all pores 159 are initially in a "fluid blockage state." As pump 178 continues to draw water through porous material 168, a negative pressure is increased, which may cause some fluid blockage to break, allowing air 196 to be delivered through the corresponding pores 159 in an "air delivery state." The associated air ingress can be balanced in final state 198, where the applied flow results in a negative pressure that no longer causes fluid blockage. The latter corresponds to the "breakage pressure" of the porous material 168 under study.

[0291] The governing equations describing the "liquid transport state" can be the Poiseuille equations provided above for the "liquid transport state." For example, assuming a pore diameter of 20 μm and a pore extension spanning a porous material 168 with a thickness of 0.8 mm, the estimated volumetric flow rate is approximately 4.96 per pore 159. 10 -14 m 3 / s (from 100cm) 3 (typical fluid flow rate per minute), and η 空气 It is 18.1 10 -6 Pa·s, ΔP=0.18Pa.

[0292] Overall, the air delivery pressure (e.g., 0.18 Pa) and water delivery pressure (e.g., 10.1 Pa) can be significantly smaller, for example, negligible, compared to the pressure difference derived from surface tension (e.g., 14600 Pa).

[0293] Figure 13 Several graphs showing the pressure versus time relationship of porous material 168 tested using the aforementioned test apparatus 166 and test procedure are provided. Curve 200 is for porous material 168 having only a woven fabric layer; curve 202 is for porous material 168 having a woven fabric layer and a first additional porous layer 156; curve 204 is for porous material 168 having a woven fabric layer, a first additional porous layer 156, and a second additional porous layer 158; and curve 206 is for porous material 168 having a woven fabric layer and three additional porous layers. These data indicate that, in some embodiments, including more stacked porous layers in porous material 168 can increase the breaking pressure.

[0294] Furthermore, within each set of curves 202, 204, and 206, are curves for porous material 168, in which the layers may or may not adhere to each other. It was observed that using an adhesive to bond the layers together further increased the destructive stress.

[0295] Figure 14 The “liquid delivery state” 188 described above is schematically depicted in a) where liquid is drawn through all the orifices 159; the end of the liquid delivery state 188 is schematically depicted in b); the intermediate state 194 is schematically depicted in c); and the final state 198 is schematically depicted in d). The porous material 168 in… Figure 14 The diagram shows waste inlets 142A and 142B that are connected to a negative pressure generator 178 (e.g., a pump).

[0296] The porous material 168 has pores 159, such as micropores, each pore having a different breaking pressure. The latter in... Figure 14The numbers below each hole 159 are used to represent the information. For simplicity, each number is rounded to a single digit.

[0297] When the negative pressure generator 178 (e.g., a pump) is activated, all liquids (e.g., water) are drawn from the floor, and the required pressure is the water delivery pressure, set to "1" in this example. The negative pressure in the waste inlet 142A, and in this example, the negative pressure in the cavity 150 behind the porous material 168, is correspondingly "1". Therefore, Figure 14 a) schematically represents "liquid delivery state" 188, and b) shows the end of "liquid delivery state" 188. In b), the point where negative pressure begins to rise is reached.

[0298] Once all liquid (e.g., water) has been removed from the floor, all the holes 159 can be blocked by the surface tension of the residual liquid within them. In the non-limiting example shown, the negative pressure generator 178 is a fixed-flow pump, so continuous operation of the pump increases the negative pressure. At some point, the negative pressure in the dirt inlet 142A behind the porous material 168 can rise to the level of the breaking pressure of the weakest hole 159, for example, "4", the breaking pressure of the hole will be exceeded, and air can begin to be delivered through it. Since the pressure in the dirt inlet 142A behind the porous material 168 may already be very significant when these first holes 159 are "broken", the air delivered through these holes 159 at that point may be significant. Therefore, Figure 14 Step c) in the diagram can be considered to schematically represent the intermediate state 194.

[0299] In intermediate condition 194, orifice 159 may become blocked, while other orifices 159 continue to deliver liquid from other areas (away from sludge inlet 142A), thus creating more negative pressure near sludge inlet 142A. This can cause the negative pressure to rise relatively slowly until all free liquid disappears. This is affected by the pump speed and, in at least some examples, by the characteristics of the liquid delivery support structure 154 and the flexibility of all components that deform when negative pressure is applied.

[0300] For a simplified explanation, if the flow rate is set to 100 cm... 3 / minute, ignoring the flow resistance between the porous material and the pump, and assuming all components are infinitely rigid, then intermediate condition 194 is... Figure 12 The middle line can be a vertical line, with the value moving from "Liquid Transport Status" 188 to the end status 198.

[0301] The process can continue until the delivered air equals the pumping rate in this example, and the negative pressure in the dirt inlet 142A behind the porous material 168 is lower than the breaking pressure of the remaining "unbroken" pores 159 with the lowest breaking pressure. Therefore, Figure 14 Step d) in the above can be considered to schematically represent the ending state 198.

[0302] Note that the pressure measured in test apparatus 166 can limit the breaking pressure of porous material 168. Different flow rates, such as 150 cm⁻¹, have been tested. 3 / min, but showing the same disruptive pressure, note that more orifices 159 can "disrupt" to compensate for the increased flow.

[0303] The pore size (in other words, pore diameter) of the porous material 168 pore 159 can be selected to balance the relatively high negative pressure with the relatively low liquid transport resistance / liquid transport pressure through the porous material 168.

[0304] Smaller orifices 159 can increase the negative pressure generated in the contaminant inlet 142A, for example, by using a relatively low-power negative pressure generator 178 (e.g., a pump). Similarly, to investigate the lower limit of the orifice size, the aforementioned testing apparatus 166 and testing procedures were used, similar to those for porous material 168, with the testing procedures using beer filters specified according to the particle size they can retain: testing 0.25 μm, 3 μm, 10 μm, and 25 μm filters.

[0305] Reference Figure 15 Curve 208 is used for 0.25μm filters; curve 210 is used for 3μm filters; curve 212 is used for 10μm filters; curve 214 is used for 25μm filters; and curve 216 is used for reference microfiber fabrics.

[0306] from Figure 15 It can be seen that the pore size / diameter of porous material 168 has a significant impact on its performance.

[0307] from Figure 15 It is evident that a 0.25μm filter results in a significantly higher water delivery pressure compared to a 3μm filter. With a 0.25μm filter, the negative pressure can rise to approximately 23,000 Pa during water delivery. Similarly, a 0.25μm filter may take significantly longer to reach a dry state, meaning that delivering liquid / water from the surface to be cleaned may take significantly longer.

[0308] Figure 15A limited difference exists between the liquid / water delivery pressure and the breakdown pressure of the porous material 168. The relatively small pore size 159 can lead to an increase in breakdown pressure, e.g., up to 39,000 Pa in the case of a 0.25 μm filter, but can also lead to an increase in water / liquid delivery pressure, e.g., up to 33,000 Pa in the case of a 0.25 μm filter. It is noted that the difference between the water delivery pressure and the breakdown pressure is similar to that of the reference microfiber fabric (1000 Pa water delivery pressure; 7000 Pa breakdown pressure).

[0309] Bacteria tend to be characterized by their relatively small size. For example, Escherichia coli cells, which can be considered to be of "average" size, are about 2 μm long and 0.5 μm in diameter.

[0310] Therefore, porous materials 168 with pore sizes greater than 2 μm can allow these bacteria to pass through. In this way, bacteria can be removed from the surface to be cleaned.

[0311] Depending on the selected porous material 168, up to 99.9% of bacteria can be drawn from the surface to be cleaned through the porous material 168.

[0312] For example, this porous material 168 may have a pore size / diameter distribution in the range of 0.25 μm to 40 μm and an average pore size of 20 μm to 40 μm (e.g., about 35 μm). Since the pore size is significantly larger than the size of bacteria, bacteria can pass through the porous material 168 and thus be removed from the surface to be cleaned.

[0313] While the above description focuses on the working principle of the porous material 168 itself, it should be noted that the porous material 168 can come into contact with the surface to be cleaned and move across the surface at a certain speed. This is in Figure 16 The diagram illustrates that, Figure 16 An exemplary cleaner head 100 is shown, comprising a dirt inlet 142A covered with a porous material 168 on a surface 218 to be cleaned. In this non-limiting example, the surface 218 to be cleaned is the surface of a floor 220, and a liquid layer 222, such as water, exists between the surface 218 and the porous material 168. A negative pressure generator 178 (e.g., a pump) is used to draw fluid through the pores 159 of the porous material 168 in the direction of arrow 224. Arrow 226 represents the internal negative pressure pulling the liquid toward the dirt inlet 142A. Arrow 228 represents the velocity of the cleaner head 100.

[0314] Figure 16 The velocity distribution 234 in the fluid layer 222 is schematically depicted. Arrow 230 represents the fluid shear force on the porous material 168 generated by the velocity distribution 234 in the fluid layer 222. Arrow 232 represents the shear force pulling water toward the floor 220.

[0315] This behavior can be approximated by the following Bernoulli equation:

[0316] constant

[0317] Where p is the fluid density, υ is the fluid velocity, P is the pressure, h is the height above the reference plane (in this case, floor 220), and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

[0318] For the pressure below 168 in the porous material, the Bernoulli equation above can be rewritten:

[0319]

[0320] For a speed of 1.5 m / s, ΔP = 1125 Pa; for a speed of 3.16 m / s, ΔP = 5000 Pa.

[0321] This indicates that at higher speeds, more liquid will remain on floor 220 because floor 220 will pull the liquid more forcefully at higher speeds, and this has already been observed in the cleaner head 100 according to this disclosure.

[0322] The movement of the cleaner head 100 (e.g., at approximately 1.5 m / s) can generate a shear flow in the liquid layer 222, thereby generating a shear force 232 acting on the liquid present in the porous material 168, which pulls the liquid toward the surface 218 to be cleaned. Water is also compressed in the direction of the dirt inlet 142A by a negative pressure 226. The negative pressure can be selected such that the force of the liquid 222 moving toward the dirt inlet 142A exceeds the shear force 232.

[0323] The liquid pickup performance of an exemplary cleaner head 100, comprising a porous material 168 and cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128, was evaluated. These materials apply liquid (e.g., water) to a surface 218 to be cleaned at a speed of 1.5 m / s and have different dirt inlet negative pressures. The results are shown in Table 2. Table 2

[0324] Another advantage of the liquid pickup principle described here is its lower power consumption, especially in the example where the negative pressure generator 178 is powered.

[0325] Traditional vacuum cleaners capable of picking up water require significant air velocity and / or brushing force to generate sufficient shear force on the water droplets, forcing them into the vacuum cleaner. The typical power consumption of such vacuum cleaners is several hundred watts.

[0326] The following calculations show the relatively low mechanical power required for picking up liquids (e.g., water) according to this disclosure.

[0327]

[0328] Where P is the mechanical power in watts; Φ is the mechanical power in meters. 3 / s is the fluid flow rate; ΔP is the negative pressure in the dirt inlet 142A, measured in Pa.

[0329] For example, using a negative pressure of 5000 Pa and 100 cm 3 The fluid flow rate is 8.3 m / min, and the power is 8.3 m / min. 10 -3 watt.

[0330] If the negative pressure generator 178 is powered by a conventional battery that provides 28 minutes of runtime in a wet cleaning device with a mechanical power consumption of approximately 50 watts, the runtime under current conditions would be 168,000 minutes, or in other words, more than 100 days.

[0331] Therefore, an electric wet cleaning device having a cleaner head 100 according to this disclosure may require very little recharging of its battery (in examples including such a battery to power the wet cleaning device), and / or may become lighter due to, for example, the minimum battery capacity required for a 1-hour runtime. Regarding the latter, it is noted that the battery used in a conventional handheld wet cleaning device may weigh approximately 0.5 kg, and thus significantly contributes to the overall weight of the wet cleaning device.

[0332] Table 3 provides a comparison of the mechanical power between conventional vacuum cleaners and the various states of the wet cleaning equipment described above according to this disclosure. Table 3

[0333] It is generally noted that the entry of air blocked by the liquid-air surface (surface tension) avoids the need for a large pump to compensate for (unnecessary) entry air. The blocked orifice 159 allows negative pressure to build up inside the wet cleaning device without requiring high power consumption. Liquids (such as water) that need to be picked up from the surface to be cleaned can be locally removed from the air-water surface, and only a relatively small negative pressure needs to be drawn into the orifice 159. The established negative pressure is now able to pick up liquids from the surface to be cleaned (such as a floor).

[0334] This disclosure provides a wet cleaning apparatus including a cleaner head assembly and a negative pressure generator 178. The cleaner head assembly includes, for example, a porous layer 114 defined by the negative pressure generator 178 for subjecting the porous layer 114 to negative pressure. In some embodiments, the negative pressure generator 178 is configured to provide a pressure difference between the interior of the wet cleaning apparatus and atmospheric pressure for drawing fluid through the porous layer 114, wherein the pressure difference is in the range of 2000 Pa to 15000 Pa, preferably in the range of 2000 Pa to 13500 Pa.

[0335] Two endpoints of the pressure difference range of 2000 Pa to 15000 Pa are intentionally selected.

[0336] The lower limit of 2000 Pa reflects that the cleaner head 100 typically moves on the surface to be cleaned (e.g., a floor), and as the velocity of the cleaner head 100 on the floor increases, the accompanying drop in static pressure means that the liquid is pulled towards the floor. As mentioned above, this behavior can be approximated by the Bernoulli equation.

[0337] Referring to Table 2 above, it has been found that when the cleaner head 100 moves over it at a typical speed, at a speed below 2000 Pa, excessive liquid may remain on the surface to be cleaned.

[0338] Based on the minimum typical speed at which the user moves the cleaner head 100 on the surface to be cleaned, a minimum negative pressure of 2000 Pa is set accordingly, thereby ensuring that the negative pressure is sufficient to draw the liquid into the interior of the wet cleaning device without requiring the user to significantly slow down or stop the movement of the cleaner head 100 on the surface to be cleaned in order to pick up the liquid.

[0339] The upper limit of 15000 Pa (preferably 13500 Pa) is limited to ensure that the liquid is transported sufficiently quickly through the porous material 168.

[0340] There is a trade-off between the magnitude of the negative pressure that can be maintained and the flow resistance through the porous material 168, the latter determining the rate at which the liquid can pass through the porous material 168. This trade-off is reflected in the selection of an upper limit of the range of 15000 Pa (preferably 13500 Pa).

[0341] In some embodiments, the pressure differential is 5000 Pa to 9000 Pa, most preferably 7000 Pa to 9000 Pa. These ranges can reflect the particularly enhanced liquid pickup observed during the movement of the cleaner head 100, combined with the relatively low flow resistance through the porous material 168.

[0342] This pressure difference can be directly and definitively verified in a given wet cleaning device, for example, by drilling a hole in a pipe in fluid communication with one or more dirt inlets 142A, 142B of the wet cleaning device and connecting it to a pneumatic pressure sensor itself using this hole. The pneumatic pressure sensor itself has a tube with a thin film covering its ends; thus, an airtight connection is used to connect the sensor. The sensor can be arranged to avoid interfering with the flow, so the technician will arrange the sensor to avoid, for example, bypass flow. No flow flows to or out of the sensor: only pressure is transmitted. In this way, the flow of the device is never impaired (therefore, the device can remain at the set level despite the sensor being installed).

[0343] The pressure sensor is connected between the porous material 168 and the negative pressure generator 178, and is placed as close as possible to the porous material 168 to minimize the influence of other factors (such as flow resistance) on the detected pressure difference.

[0344] The sensing element / film of the pressure sensor / gauge is ideally arranged / positioned in the pressure sensor so that the sensing element can be placed directly (without connecting tubes) in the tube or in the cavity 150 behind the porous material 168.

[0345] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, measurement error can be minimized by positioning the diaphragm of the pressure sensor (in other words, the diaphragm pressure gauge) such that the diaphragm is positioned at the wall of the tube (or exposed to the cavity 150) (in other words, in a straight line with the wall of the tube).

[0346] It should be noted that air bubbles within the narrow tube may create resistance (capillary / surface tension effect), and thus may affect the measurement. Therefore, those skilled in the art will further understand that it should also be noted that air bubbles (water-air surface) do not inappropriately affect differential pressure measurements.

[0347] It is also noted that the water column between the pressure sensor and the porous material 168 should be subtracted from the measurement results (if such a water column exists during the measurement) to compensate for the static pressure generated by the water column.

[0348] Once the pressure sensor is arranged as described above, it can be determined that the maintenance of the negative pressure is due to the porous material 168 and not some other component such as a valve. For the purpose of performing the measurement, any component that affects the negative pressure supplied to the porous material 168 should be rendered inoperable.

[0349] When performing differential pressure measurements, the component dispensing the cleaning fluid (if the wet cleaning device is configured to deliver the cleaning fluid) is disengaged.

[0350] The wet cleaning equipment is switched on (at the desired settings), thereby activating the pickup system, which includes the negative pressure generator 178. Data recording from the pressure sensor begins.

[0351] The pickup area of ​​the cleaner head 100 is suspended in a water layer with a maximum depth of 5mm.

[0352] The pickup area is then lifted from the water without tilting it in any way (keeping the cleaner head 100 in the cleaning position, as if it were positioned for cleaning a floor), so that water no longer contacts the porous material 168. At this point, "free water" will be removed from the porous material 168, all the pores will enter their "blocked state," and the disruption pressure will be deterministic. The measurement results will be similar to... Figure 12 The graph shown again shows that an equilibrium was established in the final state 198, where the applied flow resulted in a negative pressure that no longer caused the fluid block to break.

[0353] Referring to end condition 198, the destructive pressure obtained from this measurement result is "the pressure difference between the interior of the wet cleaning equipment and the atmospheric pressure used to draw fluid through the porous material 168 and into at least one contaminant inlet 142A, 142B". Verify whether the measurement results meet the range of 2000 Pa to 15000 Pa or the range of 2000 Pa to 13500 Pa.

[0354] Note that the porous material 168 can be arranged to contact the liquid on the surface to be cleaned, as previously described. Therefore, the porous material 168 can be defined from the outer surface of the porous material 168 that can be exposed to the liquid on the surface to be cleaned to the inner surface of the porous material 168 exposed to at least one contaminant inlet.

[0355] ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A provides a bubble point pressure measurement. Although this standard method was developed for non-fibrous membrane filters, according to this disclosure, the process can be repeated for porous material 168 (e.g., porous layer 114) and another porous layer 156, 158.

[0356] In summary, a bubble point test is performed to determine the limiting pore diameter (in other words, the maximum pore size) by increasing the gas pressure upstream of the porous material 168 at a predetermined rate and observing the downstream bubbles to indicate that the gas has passed through the maximum diameter pore of the porous material 168.

[0357] Similar to the membrane filters described in ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, the porous material 168 can be approximated in some cases, or in the case of the porous layer 114, as having discrete pores extending from one side of the porous material 168 to the other, similar to a capillary. The bubble point test is based on the principle that the wetting liquid is held in these capillary pores by capillary attraction and surface tension, and the minimum pressure required to force the liquid out of these pores is a function of the pore diameter. The pressure at which a stable bubble flow occurs in this test is called the "bubble point pressure".

[0358] Note that ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A is based on the premise that the hole is approximately a capillary hole with a circular cross-section. Therefore, the limit on the hole diameter should be considered merely an empirical estimate of the maximum hole diameter based on this premise.

[0359] As with the test procedure, replicate the test apparatus specified in ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A.

[0360] 1. Samples of porous materials (2 inches, or 50.8 mm in diameter; held in a circular holder, e.g., with an opening / effective area of ​​47 mm in diameter) are fully wetted by allowing them to float on a liquid pool (note that a vacuum chamber can be used to aid in wetting the sample if necessary). For water-wettable samples, place the sample in water and wet it completely.

[0361] 2. Place the wetted sample of the porous material in the filter holder of the test apparatus.

[0362] 3. Place the fine mesh (100×100) onto the sample of the porous material; the fine mesh is the first part of the standard-specified two-layer structure.

[0363] The second part of the 4.2 layer structure, in the form of perforated metal components to increase rigidity, is placed on the fine mesh.

[0364] 5. Place the support ring on the stack and secure it in place with bolts. At this point, apply slight gas pressure to eliminate any possible liquid backflow.

[0365] 6. Cover the perforated metal part with 2mm to 3mm of test liquid (Type IV water as required by the standard when the sample is wetted with water).

[0366] 7. Then increase the gas pressure and record the lowest pressure at which the steady flow of bubbles rises from the center region of the reservoir (refer to ASTM F316-03, 2019, Figure 5 of Test A; note that bubbles observed at the edge of the reservoir are ignored for bubble point determination).

[0367] It was found that it is initially appropriate to increase the pressure relatively quickly (e.g., at about 200 Pa / s) to roughly determine the bubble point. The pressure is then released from the sample to allow water to flow back into the sample. The pressure is then increased to about 80% of the expected pressure value and held at the 80% level for about 15 seconds (to ensure all “free” water is expelled from the sample), and then increased again at a lower rate of ≤50 Pa / s until a constant bubble flow is observed.

[0368] Then, using Equation 1 of ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, the confining orifice diameter d is determined from the recorded bubble point pressure p: d = Cγ / p, where γ is the surface tension in mM / m (72.75 for distilled water at 20°C), and C is 2860 when p is in Pa.

[0369] It has been found that, except for the 0.25 μm beer filter, for the porous material 168 samples, the bubble point pressure from ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A is comparable to the aforementioned breaking pressure. The 0.25 μm beer filter can be directly explained by the forced flow present in the breaking pressure test (rather than in the bubble point test). Results for various porous material 168 samples are provided in Table 4. Table 4

[0370] The porous layer 114 has a limiting pore diameter of 105 μm or less, as measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A. This 105 μm upper limit on the limiting pore diameter (equivalent to a minimum bubble point pressure of 2000 Pa) helps ensure that the porous layer can maintain sufficient negative pressure.

[0371] In some embodiments, the confined pore diameter of the porous layer 114, as measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, is at least 6 μm, preferably at least 8 μm, and most preferably at least 11 μm.

[0372] Experience has shown that a confined pore diameter of 6 μm or greater can help maintain a relatively large negative pressure while ensuring that the pores still allow for efficient liquid transport. The latter can also be aided by minimizing the thickness of the porous layer 114, for example, to less than 200 μm, preferably less than 150 μm.

[0373] The physical pore size of the pores in the porous layer 114 (e.g., at least 6 μm, corresponding to such a confined pore diameter of at least 6 μm) can be larger than the physical pore size of the pores in another porous layer 156 (e.g., a woven fabric layer), for example, about 3 μm.

[0374] This can help reduce clogging of the porous layer 114, because the pores of the porous layer 114 can be larger than the pores of the other porous layer 156.

[0375] In some embodiments, the confined pore diameter of the porous layer 114, as measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, is 11 μm to 15 μm.

[0376] It has been observed that when porous layer 114 is used in conjunction with another porous layer 156 (e.g., another porous layer made of woven fabric), the “self-healing” of the pores 159 of porous layer 114 can be enhanced when the confined pore diameter of the porous layer is 11 μm to 15 μm. This “self-healing” will be described in more detail below.

[0377] In some embodiments, the thickness of the porous layer 114 is less than 200 μm, preferably less than 100 μm. Such a maximum thickness can help minimize the flow resistance through the porous layer 114.

[0378] The thickness of the porous layer 114 can be determined using a precision gauge and two grounded metal plates for housing the porous layer 114 therebetween (the upper plate, which applies positive pressure, is 70 mm × 30 mm, and the lower plate, which supports the porous material sample, has a larger surface area than the 70 mm × 30 mm surface of the upper plate to facilitate alignment). The apparatus is configured to apply 864.2 N / m² to the sample of the porous layer 114 (70 mm × 30 mm). 2 The pressure. Relevant measurement parameters are shown in Table 5: Table 5

[0379] In embodiments where another porous layer 156 is disposed on porous layer 114, the other porous layer may include one or more woven fabric layers. Alternatively or additionally, as measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, the other porous layer 156 (e.g., one or more woven fabric layers) may have a confined pore diameter equal to or less than 105 μm and / or equal to or greater than 15 μm.

[0380] It has been found from experience that limiting the pore diameter of another porous layer 156 (e.g., one or more woven fabric layers) with a diameter equal to or greater than 15 μm, as measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, can help maintain a relatively large negative pressure while ensuring that the pores are large enough for liquid to be effectively transported through the other porous layer 156.

[0381] Similarly, the bubble point pressure of another porous layer 156, measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, can be equal to or less than 13500 Pa.

[0382] In some embodiments, the limiting pore diameter of the other porous layer 156, measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, is equal to or less than 105 μm. This upper limit on the limiting pore diameter helps ensure that sufficient negative pressure is maintained through the other porous layer 156.

[0383] Similarly, the bubble point pressure of another porous layer 156, measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, can be equal to or greater than 2000 Pa. Preferably, the bubble point pressure of the other porous layer is between 7000 Pa and 9000 Pa.

[0384] Another porous material 156 specifically mentioned includes porous woven fabrics, most preferably woven microfiber fabrics.

[0385] The term "microfiber fabric" as used in this article refers to a fabric formed from synthetic fibers, which is made of yarns with a fineness of less than 1 dtex.

[0386] Such microfiber fabrics may include, for example, polyester fibers, polyamide fibers, and combinations of polyester and polyamide fibers.

[0387] Microfiber fabrics can be, for example, microfiber leather.

[0388] Such porous woven fabrics (especially such woven microfiber fabrics) can be constructed specifically by the tightness of their weave to meet the aforementioned range of limiting pore diameters.

[0389] Table 6 provides specifications for particularly suitable woven fabrics as illustrative, non-limiting examples. Table 6

[0390] In some embodiments, the negative pressure generator 178 is configured to provide a pressure of less than or equal to 2000 cm through the porous material 168 (e.g., through the porous layer 114). 3 Flow rate per minute.

[0391] This flow rate can be significantly lower than that of the aforementioned traditional wet vacuum cleaners. Since power equals flow rate multiplied by pressure difference, this can be achieved by using a maximum flow rate of 2000 cm⁻¹. 3 The combination of a flow rate of / minute and the aforementioned maximum pressure difference of 15000 Pa as the maximum power consumption scheme can minimize the power consumption of the wet cleaning equipment. Referring to Table 3 above, this allows the wet cleaning equipment to be manufactured in a relatively compact manner (e.g., using smaller batteries) and / or have a relatively long operating time.

[0392] Alternatively or additionally, the negative pressure generator 178 may be configured to provide a flow rate (equal to or greater than 15 cm) through the porous material 168 (e.g., through the porous layer 114).3 / minute). This helps to pick up liquid from the surface to be cleaned quickly enough. In some embodiments, 15cm 3 The lower limit per minute can be set to be equal to or greater than the flow rate of cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid outlet 104, which is also included in the cleaner head 100.

[0393] In some embodiments, the negative pressure generator 178 is configured to provide a flow rate (equal to or greater than 40 cm⁻¹) through the porous material 168 (e.g., through the porous layer 114). 3 / minute). In addition to aiding in efficient liquid pickup, in some embodiments, this 40cm 3 / minute can be set to be equal to or greater than the flow rate of cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid outlet also included in the cleaner head 100, wherein the minimum cleaning liquid flow rate is set to ensure that the cleaning liquid is adequately supplied to the surface to be cleaned.

[0394] The negative pressure generator 178 can be configured to provide 80 cm through the porous material 168 (e.g., through the porous layer 114). 3 / minute-750cm 3 / minute, more preferably 100 cm 3 / minute -300cm 3 / minute, optimal value 150 cm 3 / minute -300cm 3 A flow rate of / minute. Such a flow rate can take advantage of the negative pressure retention capability of the porous material 168 and ensure sufficient liquid pickup while limiting energy consumption.

[0395] In some embodiments, at 200cm 3 The fluid delivery pressure per minute flowing through porous material 168 (e.g., through porous layer 114) is less than 0.25 times the bubble point pressure determined by ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A.

[0396] This may mean that the flow resistance through the porous material 168 (e.g., porous layer 114) remains at a relatively low level.

[0397] In summary, wet cleaning equipment can operate at a breaking pressure higher than the delivery flow pressure, but in order to pick up at a higher speed, the breaking pressure can be at least twice the delivery flow pressure.

[0398] In some non-limiting examples, the cleaner head 100 can be 40cm. 3 The cleaning liquid is delivered at a flow rate of / minute. The flow rate through the porous material 168 is 85% of the cleaning liquid flow rate on the smooth surface to be cleaned (i.e., 34 cm). 3Given a pickup rate of 31 cm / min, the pickup rate can be compared with the above estimate for sample number 24. 3 / minute is equivalent.

[0399] Figures 17 to 23 An example of how porous material 168 (e.g., porous layer 114) is installed in or in a cleaner head component for such cleaner head 100 is illustrated schematically.

[0400] In such Figure 17 In some embodiments shown, the cleaner head 100 or cleaner head component includes a support member 236 (e.g., a rigid support member 236) for supporting the porous material 168, such as the porous layer 114. The support member 236 can be formed of any suitable material, such as engineering thermoplastics.

[0401] In some embodiments, the cleaner head 100 or cleaner head component includes a flexible material 238 on which a porous material 168 is disposed. If, for example, there are relatively hard protrusions on the surface 218 to be cleaned in contact with the porous material 168, deformation (e.g., elastic deformation) of the flexible material 238 can reduce the risk of damaging the porous material 168 (e.g., the porous layer 114). Alternatively or additionally, the flexible material 238 can help the porous material 168 (e.g., the porous layer 114) conform to any contour of the surface 218 to be cleaned.

[0402] The flexible material 238 may be, for example, an elastic material or include an elastic material, such as silicone rubber. Other flexible materials (such as polydiene, such as polybutadiene, thermoplastic elastomers, etc.) may also be considered to be included in or define the flexible material 238.

[0403] For flexible materials 238, special mention is made of silicone rubber and ethylene-vinyl acetate, in other words, copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate.

[0404] In some embodiments, the flexible material 238 is formed of a closed-cell foam material, such as ethylene-vinyl acetate closed-cell foam material.

[0405] In these embodiments, flexibility may be provided at least in part by a foam structure, wherein the closed-cell structure of the foam provides a liquid barrier.

[0406] Alternatively or additionally, the flexible material 238 may be less than 50 Shore A, preferably less than 20 Shore A, and most preferably less than 10 Shore A.

[0407] In a non-limiting example, the flexible material 238 is 4 Shore A silicone rubber.

[0408] In embodiments where the cleaner head 100 includes a support member 236 (e.g., a rigid support member 236), a flexible material 238 may be disposed between the support member 236 and the porous material 168, for example, between the support member 236 and the porous layer 114. Figure 17 An example of this is shown in the figure.

[0409] In such an embodiment, the porous layer 114 can be fixed (e.g., adhered) to the support member 236.

[0410] In embodiments where the cleaner head 100 includes the aforementioned protruding element, the protruding element may include a flexible material 238, which will be described in more detail below.

[0411] Back Figure 17 In the depicted non-limiting example, the impermeable portion 146 is in the form of a polymer (e.g., thermoplastic) membrane, wherein a seal 152 is disposed between the polymer membrane and the porous layer 114 included in the porous material 168. Furthermore, the liquid delivery support structure 154 included in this particular example is in the form of a coarse mesh or a stack of coarse mesh layers.

[0412] In some embodiments, such as Figure 18 In the non-limiting example shown, the impermeable portion 146 is defined by an impermeable sealing portion (e.g., a polymer membrane) of a porous layer 114 extending from the flexible material 238 to the porous material 168. In this case, it is not necessary for the polymer membrane to extend laterally on the inner surface of the porous layer 114.

[0413] In some embodiments, the flexible material 238 includes an impermeable portion 146 sealed to the porous layer 114 of the porous material 168. Therefore, the aforementioned polymer membrane and polymer sheet are omitted in this embodiment and can be removed. This reduces the number of components in the cleaner head 100, thereby facilitating manufacturing.

[0414] In such Figure 19 In some embodiments shown, the liquid delivery support structure 154 is provided at least partially or entirely by a surface pattern on and / or in the surface of the flexible material 238 of the porous layer 114 facing the porous material 168. Replacing a coarse mesh with a surface pattern on the surface of the flexible material 238 can help reduce the number of parts in the cleaner head 100. In other respects, Figure 19 The example shown corresponds to Figure 18 The example shown.

[0415] In such Figure 20In some embodiments shown, the support member 236 includes an impermeable portion 146 sealed onto the porous layer 114 of the porous material 168. In other words, the seal between the support member 236 and the porous material 168 is provided by a protruding portion of the support member 236 that seals the porous material 168. Therefore, the aforementioned polymer membrane is not necessary in this example, as a direct connection between the porous layer 114 and the support member 236 can be used to create a seal. In other aspects, Figure 20 The example shown corresponds to Figure 17 The example shown.

[0416] Figure 21 The non-restrictive example shown corresponds to Figure 20 The example shown is provided, in addition to the liquid delivery support structure 154 being provided at least partially or entirely by a surface pattern on and / or in the surface of a flexible material 238 facing a porous layer 114 of porous material 168.

[0417] Figure 22 The non-restrictive example shown corresponds to Figure 18 The example shown is different from the example where the flexible material 238 is arranged within the cavity 150 provided between the polymer membrane, which is the impermeable part 146, and the porous layer 114 of the porous material 168.

[0418] Figure 23 The non-restrictive example shown corresponds to Figure 22 The example shown is provided, in addition to the liquid delivery support structure being provided at least partially or entirely by surface patterns on and / or in the surface of the flexible material 238 of the porous layer 114 facing the porous material 168.

[0419] In this regard, it should be reiterated that the aforementioned liquid pickup area PR of the porous layer 114 (defined by a sealing attachment around, for example, each of at least one of the dirt inlets 142A, 142B) can be arranged relative to each of at least one cleaning liquid outlet 104 to allow cleaning liquid to bypass the liquid pickup area PR and reach or at least be directed toward the surface 218 to be cleaned. This arrangement of the liquid pickup area PR relative to each cleaning liquid outlet 104 can be implemented in any suitable manner.

[0420] In such Figure 24 In some embodiments shown, each cleaning liquid outlet 104 is arranged in one or more dispensing components spatially separated from the porous layer 114. By arranging the cleaning liquid outlets 104 in such separate dispensing components, the cleaning liquid can flow along... Figure 24 The arrow 240 is directed toward the surface 218 to be cleaned, without initially contacting the porous layer 114.

[0421] exist Figure 24 In the non-limiting example shown, the dispensing component corresponds to the cleaning liquid dispensing strips 108 and 124 described above.

[0422] exist Figure 24 In this process, spatial separation is evident through the gap 242 (e.g., air gap 242) provided between the porous layer 114 and the cleaning liquid distribution strips 108, 124.

[0423] In such Figure 25 In some embodiments shown, the porous material 168 includes one or more of the aforementioned additional porous layers 156. The cleaning material 244 may include one or more additional porous layers 156, for example, by disassembling the cleaning material 244 to separate one or more additional porous layers 156 from the porous layer 114.

[0424] In at least some embodiments, the cleaning material 244 is made of fabric only, and for example, only fluid communication between the cleaning material 244 and the wet cleaning device is required, without the need for special seals / connections. Attaching the cleaning material 244 to the wet cleaning device (e.g., cleaner head 100) can be achieved using relatively simple fasteners, such as hook-and-loop fasteners.

[0425] Therefore, cleaning materials 244 (e.g., mops) can be washed directly in a washing machine, for example, and can be produced cheaply.

[0426] The porous layer 114 of the cleaner head component can primarily be responsible for maintaining the required negative pressure, and therefore can be attached sealably around the dirt inlets 142A, 142B, as previously described. Furthermore, the porous layer 114 can be free of abrasive areas and have relatively large pores to maintain negative pressure. On the other hand, the cleaning material 244 / another porous layer 156 may not need to maintain negative pressure, but can simply create a capillary connection between the surface to be cleaned and the porous layer 114. If the other porous layer 156 has relatively large pores, the pickup function can operate outside of these pores, but rather at the point where the other porous layer 156 contacts the porous layer 114 and the surface to be cleaned, since the other porous layer 156 only needs to provide fluid communication.

[0427] In some embodiments, the cleaning material 244 includes the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 described above. In this way, one or more other porous layers 156 can be replaced directly while replacing the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128. For example, the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 may be attached to (e.g., adhered to) one or more other porous layers 156 in the cleaning material 244.

[0428] In some embodiments, such as in Figure 25In the non-limiting example shown, the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 include the first applicator portion 126 and the second applicator portion 128 described above, wherein a first attachment 246A connects one or more other porous layers 156 to the first applicator portion 126, and a second attachment 246B connects one or more other porous layers 156 to the second applicator portion 128.

[0429] At this point, it should be noted that, referring to Figure 26 This disclosure provides a surface cleaning assembly including a porous layer 114 and a cleaning material 244, the porous layer 114 including a cleaner head member 248 according to any embodiment described herein, the cleaning material 244 for contacting a surface to be cleaned, the cleaning material including another porous layer 156 for being disposed on the porous layer 114.

[0430] In some embodiments, the cleaner head 100 includes a support for supporting a porous layer 114 included in the cleaner head member 248.

[0431] The cleaner head component 248 can be attached to and / or detached from the cleaner head 100, which may include, for example, a porous layer 114, which is incorporated into and / or detached from a support included in the cleaner head 100.

[0432] In addition to the porous layer 114, the cleaner head component 248 may include the aforementioned impermeable portion 146, for example, including or in the form of a polymer membrane, wherein at least one dirt inlet 142A is defined by one or more openings in the impermeable portion 146.

[0433] In such Figure 26 In some non-limiting embodiments shown, the cleaner head component 248 also includes the liquid delivery support structure 154 described above.

[0434] For example, the liquid transport support structure 154 can be disposed in the cavity 150 between the porous layer 114 and the impermeable portion 146.

[0435] When the cleaner head 100 includes both cleaning material 244 and cleaner head component 248, the cleaning material 244 can be removed, for example, independently of the cleaner head component 248, and the cleaner head component 248 can be removed independently of the cleaning material 244.

[0436] In such Figure 27In some embodiments shown, the cleaner head component 248 further includes cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128. For example, when the cleaner head component 248 includes an impermeable portion 146, the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 may be attached (e.g., adhered) to the impermeable portion 146.

[0437] In such Figure 27 In the non-limiting example shown, the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 include the first applicator portion 126 and the second applicator portion 128 described above, the first connector 250A connects a first side of the impermeable portion 146 to the first applicator portion 126, and the second connector 250B connects a second side of the impermeable portion 146 to the second applicator portion 128.

[0438] Figure 28 An exemplary cleaner head 100 is schematically depicted, including a cleaner head component 248 that does not include cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128. However, the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 are still removable, and in this example, each of the first applicator portion 126 and the second applicator portion 128 can be detached from the cleaning liquid outlet 104 independently of each other and independently of the cleaner head component 248.

[0439] More generally, this disclosure provides a cleaner head component 248 itself. The cleaner head component 248 includes a porous layer 114. The cleaner head component 248 may be adapted to be connected to a wet cleaning device having a negative pressure generator 178.

[0440] In some embodiments, one or more dirt inlets 142A, 142B are located in or defined in the cleaner head member 248, and a porous layer 114 covers one or more dirt inlets 142A, 142B. The dirt inlets can provide fluid communication between the negative pressure generator 178 and the pores 159 of the porous layer 114.

[0441] The liquid pickup area PR of the porous layer 114 can be defined by sealing the porous layer 114 around at least one dirt inlet 142A, 42B. The sealing attachment of the porous layer 114 around the dirt inlet can help maintain negative pressure in the dirt inlets 142A, 142B, whether or not airflow is applied by the negative pressure generator 178 included in the wet cleaning device.

[0442] It should be reiterated that the sealing attachment can be achieved in any suitable manner, such as by gluing or welding a porous layer 114 around at least one (e.g., each) of the waste inlets 142A, 142B, for example by gluing and / or welding a porous layer 114 around one or more tubes, the openings of which define the waste inlets 142A, 142B.

[0443] This cleaner head component 248 allows the porous layer 114 to be replaced without resealing the porous layer 114 to the dirt inlets 142A, 142B.

[0444] In some embodiments, the cleaner head assembly 248 includes an impermeable portion 146, and at least one dirt inlet 142A, 142B is defined by one or more openings disposed in the impermeable portion 146 and / or located between the impermeable portion 146 and the porous layer 114. Such a cleaner head assembly 248 allows the porous layer 114 to be replaced without requiring the impermeable portion 146 to be resealed to the porous layer 114.

[0445] In some embodiments, at least one contaminant inlet 142A, 142B is exposed in a cavity 150 between a porous layer 114 and an impermeable portion 146, a liquid delivery support structure 154 is arranged in the cavity 150, and one or more flow paths are provided in a liquid pickup area PR between the porous layer 114 and at least one contaminant inlet 142A, 142B.

[0446] A wet cleaning device (e.g., a cleaner head 100 included in a wet cleaning device) may include at least one cleaning liquid outlet 104 through which cleaning liquid can be delivered, as previously described. When at least one dirt inlet of the cleaner head component 248 is in fluid communication with a negative pressure generator 178, a liquid pickup area PR may be arranged relative to each of the at least one cleaning liquid outlet 104 such that cleaning liquid delivered toward the surface 218 to be cleaned bypasses the liquid pickup area PR.

[0447] Figure 29 An exemplary cleaner head 100 is schematically depicted, comprising a cleaning material 244, which in this example includes one or more additional porous layers 156. Furthermore, in this non-limiting example, each of the first applicator portion 126 and the second applicator portion 128 is detachable from the cleaning liquid outlet 104 independently of each other and independently of the cleaning material 244.

[0448] Figure 30 An exemplary cleaner head 100 is shown, in which a porous material (in this case, a porous layer 114) contacts a cleaning liquid applicator fabric 126, 128. As previously explained, this configuration helps prevent excessive cleaning liquid from accumulating in the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128, and thus helps minimize over-wetting of the surface 218 to be cleaned, for example, by dripping cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 onto the surface 218 to be cleaned.

[0449] In this particular example, since the edge portion 134 of the porous layer 114 is adjacent to the opposite edge portion 136 of the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128, enhanced control over the wetting of the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 can be achieved. More specifically, in this non-limiting example, the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 include a first applicator portion 126 and a second applicator portion 128, such that the opposite edge portion 136 of the cleaning liquid applicator material is included in the first applicator portion 126, as shown. Furthermore, in this example, another edge portion 138 of the porous layer 114 is adjacent to another opposite edge portion 140 of the second applicator portion 128.

[0450] exist Figure 30 In the example shown, the liquid pickup area PR of the porous layer 114 (defined by a sealed attachment of the porous layer 114 around, for example, each of at least one of the dirt inlets 142A, 142B) is still arranged relative to each of the cleaning liquid outlets 104, thereby allowing the cleaning liquid to bypass the liquid pickup area PR. In this respect, the cleaning liquid outlets 104 in this example are arranged in a dispensing member, which in this example takes the form of cleaning liquid dispensing strips 108, 124, which are spatially separated from the porous layer 114. The latter is reflected by a gap 242 (e.g., an air gap 242) provided between the porous layer 114 and the dispensing members 108, 124.

[0451] In such Figure 31 In some embodiments shown, the cleaner head 100 includes a portion 120 facing the surface 218 to be cleaned, with a protruding element 252 mounted near the portion 120. Thus, the protruding element 252 is a separately mounted element relative to the portion 120. The protruding element 252 protrudes from the cleaner head 100 along the direction of the surface 218 to be cleaned. In this way, the cleaner head 100 can swing along a first direction on the protruding element 252 to bring the portion 120 into contact with the surface to be cleaned, and swing along a second direction opposite to the first direction on the protruding element 252 to separate the portion 120 from the surface 218 to be cleaned, as previously described.

[0452] In such Figure 31 In some of the embodiments shown, the cleaner head 100 includes a support member 236, such as a rigid support member 236, and the protruding element 252 is attached to the support member 236 by means of attachment.

[0453] Note that the cleaner head 100 may be attached or can be attached to a suitable handle (not visible) to assist in moving the cleaner head 100. For this purpose, the cleaner head 100 may include a coupling point 254 to which such a handle may be coupled (e.g., pivotally coupled).

[0454] Reference Figure 31 By applying force F move The movement of the cleaner head 100 on the surface 218 to be cleaned may not be without resistance. The weight F of the cleaner head 100 gravity And / or the user pressing the cleaner head 100 against the surface 218 to be cleaned can generate a force Fn perpendicular to the surface 218 to be cleaned.

[0455] The cleaner head 100 can be wetted, thus allowing operation under both viscous friction and dry conditions; the former generates viscous friction Fv, while the latter generates Coulomb friction Fc, controlled by the normal force Fn and the coefficient of friction f. The resulting resistance Fr is approximated in the following equation.

[0456]

[0457] Where forces Fr, Fv, Fc, and Fn are in Newtons; μ is the dynamic viscosity in Pa·s; and A is the viscosity in m. 2 The contact area is measured; u is the velocity in m / s; and y is the thickness of the liquid layer in m.

[0458] The above equation shows that a larger contact area A and a liquid layer with a thickness y approaching zero can increase the viscous friction term, thereby increasing the resulting resistance Fr.

[0459] It is also noted that the relatively large contact area A required for effective liquid pickup on the uneven surface 218 to be cleaned can result in relatively high resistance Fr, especially on the relatively flat / smooth surface 218 to be cleaned.

[0460] Therefore, in at least some embodiments, the protruding element 252 includes a porous material 168, such as a porous layer 114. Since the contact area A between the porous material 168 (e.g., porous layer 114) and the surface to be cleaned 218 is limited, the resistance to movement of the cleaner head 100 on the surface to be cleaned can be reduced.

[0461] In some embodiments, the liquid pickup area PR of the porous layer 114 is included in the protruding element 252 and terminates between the protruding element 252 and the portion 120. In this way, the area of ​​the porous layer 114 to which suction is applied is confined to the protruding element 252, thereby helping to reduce motion resistance.

[0462] Alternatively or additionally, at least one dirt inlet 142A, 142B may be defined in the protruding element 252. Thus, for example due to its oscillating function, suction can be applied to the portion of the cleaner head 100 that contacts the surface 218 to be cleaned, in other words, to the protruding element 252.

[0463] In embodiments where the cleaner head 100 includes a portion 120 and another portion 122 facing the surface 218 to be cleaned, a protruding element 252 may be mounted between portion 120 and the other portion 122. This allows the cleaner head 100 to swing forward on the protruding element 252, causing portion 120 to contact the surface 218 to be cleaned, such as... Figure 31 As shown, it swings backward so that the other part 122 contacts the surface 218 to be cleaned.

[0464] In such an embodiment, the liquid pickup area PR of the porous layer 114 may extend between portion 120 and another portion 122, and terminate between protruding element 252 and portion 120 and between protruding element 252 and another portion 122.

[0465] exist Figure 31 In the non-limiting example shown, adjacent opposing edge portions 134, 136 of the porous material 168 and the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 are positioned between the protruding element 252 and portion 120. In this way, excess cleaning liquid squeezed out from the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 between the protruding element 252 and the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128, for example by the oscillation of the cleaner head 100, can be effectively delivered via the porous material 168 to the dirt inlets 142A, 142B.

[0466] In particular, Figure 31 The portion 120 shown includes a first applicator portion 126, and another portion 122 includes a second applicator portion 128. Furthermore, in this example, adjacent opposing edge portions 134, 136 of the porous material 168 and the first applicator portion 126 are positioned between the protruding element 252 and portion 120, and adjacent opposing other edge portions 138, 140 of the porous material 168 and the second applicator portion 128 are positioned between the protruding element 252 and the other portion 122. Therefore, for example, by swinging the cleaner head 100 forward and backward respectively, excess cleaning liquid squeezed out from the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 between the protruding element and the first applicator portion 126 and between the protruding element and the second applicator portion 128 can be effectively delivered to the dirt inlets 142A, 142B via the porous material 168.

[0467] In such Figure 31 In some of the embodiments shown, the protruding element 252 has a curved surface arranged to contact the surface 218 to be cleaned.

[0468] This curved (e.g., circular) surface of the protruding element 252 can further help to minimize the contact area between the protruding element 252 and the surface 218 to be cleaned, thereby helping to minimize the resistance to movement of the cleaner head 100 on the surface 218 to be cleaned.

[0469] The curved surface of the protruding element 252 can be bent, for example, between part 120 and another part 122, such as... Figure 31 As shown.

[0470] In some embodiments, the protruding element 252 includes the aforementioned flexible material 238, and a porous material 168 is disposed on the flexible material 238. The flexible material 238 may be, for example, silicone rubber or may include silicone rubber, and / or have a hardness of less than 50 Shore A, preferably less than 20 Shore A, and most preferably less than 10 Shore A.

[0471] Reference Figure 31 The flexible material 238 can be arranged between the support member 236 (e.g., rigid support member 236) and the porous material 168.

[0472] If, for example, there are relatively hard protrusions on the surface 218 to be cleaned in contact with the porous material 168, the elastic deformation of this flexible material 238 can reduce the risk of damaging the porous material 168. Alternatively or additionally, the flexible material 238 can help the porous material 168 conform to any contour of the surface 218 to be cleaned.

[0473] Alternatively or additionally, the protruding element 252 may be resiliently mounted adjacent to portion 120. For example, the protruding element 252 may be resiliently mounted to support member 236. This can help the porous material 168 conform to any contour of the surface 218 to be cleaned, thereby facilitating liquid pickup.

[0474] In embodiments in which a flexible material 238 is included in a protruding element 252, the curvature of the curved surface of the flexible material 238 (e.g., an arc between portion 120 and another portion 122) may be followed by a porous material 168 to provide a curved surface for the protruding element 252.

[0475] Although Figure 31While not visible, the protruding element 252 may also include the aforementioned impermeable portion 146, which comprises or is in the form of a polymer membrane sealed to the porous layer 114 and surrounding the dirt inlets 142A, 142B. In such an example, during use of the cleaner head 100, the negative pressure present behind the porous material 168 may not be present in the flexible material 238, but rather contained within the sealed cavity 150 between the porous layer 114 and the impermeable portion 146. This helps ensure that the flexible material 238 is substantially unaffected by the negative pressure, particularly in examples where the flexible material 238 itself is porous and therefore easily compacted due to the negative pressure.

[0476] In other non-limiting examples, the flexible material 238 itself is not porous, or has a closed-cell foam structure, such that the flexible material 238 can be included in the impermeable portion 146 sealed to the porous layer 114 of the porous material 168, for example, as described above. Figure 18 As stated above.

[0477] exist Figure 31 In the non-limiting example shown, the liquid delivery support structure 154 described above is also disposed between the porous material 168 (particularly the porous layer 114) and the impermeable portion 146. The liquid delivery support structure 154 may be defined by, for example, one or more coarse mesh layers and / or surface patterns located on and / or in the surface of the flexible material 238 (e.g., a curved surface), or may include, for example, one or more coarse mesh layers and / or surface patterns located on and / or in the surface of the flexible material 238 (e.g., a curved surface).

[0478] More generally, the protruding element 252 may include, for example, a liquid delivery support structure 154 disposed between the porous layer 114 and at least one waste inlet 142A, 142B.

[0479] The porous material 168 can be arranged on the flexible material 238 in any suitable manner, such as on the curved surface of the flexible material 238.

[0480] Figure 32A and 32B An example is schematically depicted where a porous layer 114 is sealed around the waste inlets 142A, 142B to define the liquid pickup area PR. Figure 32A and 32BThe image further illustrates an impermeable portion 146 (in this case, in the form of a polymer membrane) and a liquid transport support structure 154 (in this case, in the form of a coarse mesh or multiple stacked coarse mesh layers). The porous material 168 in this example comprises, or is defined by, a porous layer 114 and another porous layer 156, 158. Thus, the laminate comprises another porous layer 156, 158, a porous layer 114, a liquid transport support structure 154, and an impermeable portion 146, wherein pipes 144A, 144B providing dirt inlets 142A, 142B are partially trapped between the impermeable portion 146 and the porous layer 114.

[0481] exist Figure 32A and Figure 32B In the non-limiting example shown, the impermeable portion 146, the porous layer 114, and another porous layer 156, 158 extend beyond the liquid transport support layer 154 in the direction of the pipes 144A, 144B. The seal 152 (in this case, a heat seal) also extends beyond the liquid transport support layer 154 in the direction of the pipes 144A, 144B.

[0482] A seal 152, i.e., an airtight seal, is provided between the porous layer 114 and the impermeable portion 146 by introducing a clay in the region through which tubes 144A and 144B are guided. In this example, the tape is thus wrapped around the porous layer 114, the impermeable portion 146, the tubes 144A and 144B, and the clay to encapsulate the clay, thereby preventing it from sticking to another object.

[0483] The laminate can be flexible enough to be arranged on a curved surface, for example, a flexible material 238. Furthermore, the laminate can be provided with one or more suitable fasteners 256A-D, in this case, in the form of Velcro® strips, for securing the laminate to the cleaner head 100.

[0484] Go to Figure 33A and Figure 33B The non-limiting examples shown are similar to those above regarding Figure 32A and 32B The laminate (including porous layer 114 and another porous layer 156) is disposed on the curved surface 258 of the flexible material 238 and secured to the support member 236 via fasteners 256A-D (e.g., Velcro®). Thus, the protruding element 252 in this example includes the flexible material 238 and the porous layers 114, 156.

[0485] Since the porous layers 114, 156 in this example follow the curvature of the curved surface 258 of the flexible material 238, the protruding element 252 itself includes a curved surface arranged to contact the surface 218 to be cleaned.

[0486] exist Figure 33A and Figure 33B In the non-limiting example shown, the protruding element 252 is mounted near portion 120 (and in this example, particularly between portion 120 and another portion 122) by means of a flexible material 238 attached to the support member 236 of the cleaner head 100. In this non-limiting example, this attachment is achieved at least in part by means of the flexible material 238, which includes a protrusion 260 that is received within and engages with a slot 262 defined in the support member 236. The protrusion 260 may, for example, be a push-in fit in the slot 262.

[0487] Figure 33A The diagram shows deformations of the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 such that at least a portion of the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 comes into contact with the porous material. In this manner, some cleaning liquid can be transferred from the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 to the porous material in a particularly controlled manner.

[0488] exist Figure 33A In the non-limiting example shown, the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 include tufts formed of fibers and a backing layer (not visible) supporting the tufts. As shown, these tufts are deformable to contact porous materials, such as when in contact with the surface to be cleaned and / or when wetted by a liquid (e.g., water).

[0489] In some embodiments, the wet cleaning device includes a cleaner head 100 and a negative pressure generator 178 fluidly connected to at least one dirt inlet 142A, 142B. Figure 33A and 33B (Not visible in the image). This fluid communication can be achieved through pipes 144A and 144B, which in this particular non-limiting example extend to a single pipe at the bifurcation point 266 leading to the negative pressure generator.

[0490] The negative pressure generator 178 may be, for example, a pump, or include a pump such as a positive displacement pump (the technical advantages of a positive displacement pump are described in more detail below). Any suitable pump may be used, provided that it can withstand the operating pressure selected for the wet cleaning equipment, for example, approximately 5000 Pa (see Table 2 above).

[0491] In some embodiments, the negative pressure generator 178 is configured to provide 40 cm 3 / minute-2000cm 3 / minute, more preferably 80 cm 3 / minute-750cm 3 / minute, optimal value 100 cm 3 / minute -300cm 3 A flow rate of / minute is used to provide suction.

[0492] This flow (i.e., flow rate) can take advantage of the negative pressure retention capability of the porous material 168 and ensure sufficient liquid pick-up while limiting energy consumption.

[0493] Wet cleaning equipment may also include a waste liquid collection tank (in) Figure 33A and 33B (Not visible in the image). In such an embodiment, a negative pressure generator may be arranged to draw liquid from at least one sludge inlet 142A, 142B into a sludge liquid collection tank.

[0494] In such an embodiment, the waste liquid collection tank can be arranged relative to the negative pressure generator 178 in any suitable manner, such as upstream or downstream of the negative pressure generator 178.

[0495] In some embodiments, a wet cleaning apparatus including a cleaner head 100 includes a cleaning liquid supply device for supplying cleaning liquid to the cleaner head 100 for delivery toward the surface to be cleaned via at least one cleaning liquid outlet 104. Figure 33A and 33B (Not visible in the image). This cleaning liquid supply device may include, for example, a cleaning liquid reservoir and a delivery device, such as a delivery device including a pump, for conveying the cleaning liquid to and through at least one cleaning liquid outlet 104.

[0496] The cleaning liquid supply device and at least one cleaning liquid outlet 104 can be configured to provide continuous delivery of the cleaning liquid toward the surface 218 to be cleaned.

[0497] The cleaning liquid supply device and negative pressure generator 178 can, for example, be configured such that the flow rate of the cleaning liquid delivered through at least one cleaning liquid outlet 104 is lower than the flow rate supplied by the negative pressure generator 178 to at least one dirt inlet 142A, 142B. This helps ensure that the surface 218 to be cleaned is not over-wetted by the cleaning liquid. For example, the flow rate of the cleaning liquid can be 20 cm. 3 / minute to 60cm 3 Within the range of / minute, the flow rate provided by the negative pressure generator 178 can reach 40 cm. 3 / minute to 2000cm 3 Within the range of / minute, more preferably within 80cm 3 / minute to 750cm3 Within the range of / minute, the most preferred value is 100 cm. 3 / minute to 300cm 3 Within a range of / minute.

[0498] If a positive displacement pump is used as a negative pressure generator 178 at a flow rate of 1 liter / minute or 2 liters / minute, such a pump may become relatively large and noisy, so a lower flow rate may help keep the wet cleaning equipment relatively small, quiet and lightweight.

[0499] In principle, it is sufficient for the flow rate of the negative pressure generator 178 to be equal to the flow rate of the cleaning liquid supplied by the cleaning liquid source.

[0500] However, if, for example, porous material 168 (e.g., newly attached), encounters water overflow, there is a risk of a relatively significant disturbance to the system balance (the necessary negative pressure). For example, a material with a diameter of 40 cm... 3 A clean liquid flow rate of / minute and 50 cm provided by negative pressure generator 178 3 A wet cleaning device with a flow rate of / minute encounters 50cm 3 A puddle may mean it takes about 5 minutes to absorb all the water (resulting in a 5-minute drop in negative pressure), thus keeping the floor noticeably wetter for 5 minutes (as the puddle continues to spread). On the other hand, the 250cm provided by the negative pressure generator 178... 3 A flow rate of / minute can reduce the time period to 14 seconds. The flow rate provided by the negative pressure generator 178, which is higher than the flow rate of the cleaning fluid provided by the cleaning fluid supply device, allows the system to recover to equilibrium more quickly after such a disturbance.

[0501] exist Figure 33A and Figure 33B In the non-limiting example shown, the cleaning fluid is delivered, for example, from the aforementioned cleaning fluid reservoir via pipe 268, which branches to supply the cleaning fluid via a first pipe 270A to the cleaning fluid outlet 104 of the cleaning fluid distribution bar 108, and via a second pipe 270B to the cleaning fluid outlet 104 of another cleaning fluid distribution bar 124.

[0502] In an embodiment of the wet cleaning equipment including a cleaner head 100, a negative pressure generator, and a cleaning liquid supply device, the negative pressure generator may be configured to provide suction to at least one dirt inlet 142A, 142B while the cleaning liquid supply device supplies cleaning liquid to at least one cleaning liquid outlet 104 and supplies cleaning liquid through at least one cleaning liquid outlet 104 (in other words, simultaneously).

[0503] exist Figure 33A and Figure 33BIn the exemplary cleaner head 100 shown, the cleaning liquid dispensing strips 108, 124 are joined to each other by coupling members 272A, 272B and to the support member 236.

[0504] In some embodiments, the wet cleaning device includes a handle that is coupled to or attachable to the cleaner head 100 (in... Figure 33A and Figure 33B (Not visible in the center). This handle facilitates the movement of the cleaner head 100.

[0505] exist Figure 33A and Figure 33B In the non-limiting example shown, the engagement point 254 to which such a handle can be attached includes a vertically extending slot for adjusting the height at which the engagement is provided. In this example, such an engagement point 254 is provided in each of a pair of mounting members 274A, 274B, and a handle engagement member 276 is pivotally mounted between the mounting members 274A, 274B. The handle engagement member 276 can engage with an end of the handle, for example, a receiving end of the handle.

[0506] In some embodiments, the handle may support or include at least a portion of a negative pressure generator 178 that is fluidly connected to at least one waste inlet 142A, 142B and / or waste liquid collection tank. Alternatively or additionally, at least a portion of a cleaning liquid supply device (e.g., a cleaning liquid reservoir and / or delivery device) may be supported by or included in the handle.

[0507] In such Figure 33C and Figure 33D In some embodiments shown, the cleaner head component 248 includes (or defines) a protruding element 252. For example, in the cleaner head component 248, the liquid pickup area PR of the porous layer 114 can be defined by the porous layer 114 surrounding a sealing attachment of at least one dirt inlet 142A, 142B.

[0508] exist Figure 33C In the non-limiting example shown, the protruding element 252 includes a flexible material 238 on which a porous layer 114 is disposed. In this particular example, the porous layer 114 is sealed to the support member 236 via a seal 152 (e.g., a heat seal).

[0509] In this way, the porous layer 114 is sealed to the waste inlet 142A, which in this example is defined by the support member 236 and the flexible material 238. Specifically, the waste inlets 142A and 142B are in the form of channels extending through the support member 236 and the flexible material 238.

[0510] More generally, the support member 236 to which the porous layer 114 is hermetically attached may be included in the cleaner head member 248. In such an example, the support member 236 may be attached to a support included in the remainder of the cleaner head 100.

[0511] The cleaner head member 248 can be attached to the support in any suitable manner, such as by attaching the cleaner head member 248 to, for example, the support member 236 having a ridge member that pushes into a slot defined in the support member, or by attaching the support member having a ridge member that pushes into a slot defined in the cleaner head member 248 (e.g., defined in the support member 236).

[0512] For example, the porous layer 114 can be attached to the plastic support member 236 by heat sealing (e.g., ultrasonic welding).

[0513] Figure 33C and Figure 33D The examples shown differ from one another in that, Figure 33C The liquid delivery support structure 154 shown is defined by a surface pattern arranged on and / or in the surface of the flexible material 238, while Figure 33D The liquid transport support structure 154 shown is in the form of a coarse mesh layer.

[0514] Figure 33E An exemplary cleaning material 244 is shown, which includes another porous layer 158A, 158B and cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128. This example is related to... Figure 26 The cleaning material 244 shown has some similarities, except that in this case the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126, 128 are mounted on another porous layer 158A, 158B.

[0515] Note that the other porous layers 158A and 158B can adhere to each other, for example, by heat sealing (e.g., ultrasonic welding).

[0516] exist Figure 33E The image further illustrates the backing layer BL and the bristle tuft TU included in the cleaning liquid applicator materials 126 and 128. As previously described, the backing layer BL supports the bristle tuft TU.

[0517] Figure 33F Provides a perspective view of a cleaner head 100, which includes... Figure 33C or Figure 33D The protruding element 252 / cleaner head component 248 shown is... Figure 33EThe cleaning material 244 is shown. Therefore, in this case, the porous material 168 includes a porous layer 114 included in the cleaner head member 248 and another porous layer 158A, 158B included in the cleaning material 244.

[0518] The cleaning material 244 can be detachably attached to the remainder of the cleaner head 100 in any suitable manner, for example, by the cleaning material 244 comprising a set of boot-shaped members disposed along one longitudinal side of the cleaning material 244 and Velcro® strips arranged on the opposite longitudinal side. In this example, each of the set of boot-shaped members receives and engages a leg disposed on one longitudinal side of the remainder of the cleaner head 100, and the Velcro® strip can be engaged with a complementary Velcro® strip arranged on the opposite longitudinal side of the remainder of the cleaner head 100. Such a set of legs in the boot-shaped member structure helps to minimize unwanted movement of the cleaning material 244 relative to the remainder of the cleaner head 100 in both the lateral and longitudinal directions.

[0519] exist Figure 33F The label LA for cleaning material 244 is further shown in the image. This label provides instructions for attaching / removing and / or cleaning cleaning material 244 after it has been removed from the rest of the cleaner head 100.

[0520] In this respect, it should be noted that the porous layer 114 can typically be connected to a negative pressure generator 178, such as a pump, which generates a flow rate greater than the required flow. In this way, the system is able to relatively quickly remove "excess liquid" and rapidly reach equilibrium. This can mean that the porous layer 114 can be continuously in a "disrupted" state while in equilibrium. (Refer to...) Figure 33G Total pick-up of a woven fabric can mean that all the “free” liquids present in and on the top of the fabric can reach the entire surface of the cloth, because there may be many horizontal capillary paths in the fabric. Figure 33G The arrow indicates this. If the orifice 159 is "damaged," it can be continuously surrounded by free water, which, where possible, such as in the presence of a local pressure drop, allows the orifice 159 to self-repair. This minimizes the risk of the damaged orifice 159 remaining open and causing excessive air leakage.

[0521] When considering the pores 159 of the porous layer 114 according to the invention, the fact that the pore walls 165 of such pores are arranged around a linear central axis 163 extending across the thickness of the porous layer 114 may reduce the ability of such porous layer 114 to dispense the present liquid.

[0522] For example, in porous layer 114 is a monofilament mesh (e.g. Figure 10H In the case of a monofilament mesh (as shown), liquid may not be able to flow through the monofilament.

[0523] Therefore, there may be less liquid distribution, thus reducing the repair capability of the orifices 159. A potential risk with this mesh is the limited number of well-controlled damaged orifices 159. This could result in too many orifices 159 being damaged, allowing too much air into the system and thus reducing the negative pressure within the wet cleaning equipment. For example, when the negative pressure drops below 2000 Pa or 3000 Pa, there may be a risk of loss of function or at least damage.

[0524] Therefore, in some embodiments, another porous layer 156 has a porous structure configured to allow fluid to be transported laterally along a first direction within the other porous layer 156 and toward the porous layer 114 along a second direction spanning the thickness of the other porous layer 156. This lateral fluid transport within the other porous layer 156 (e.g., a woven fabric layer of the other porous layer 156) can help maintain a liquid supply to the porous layer 114, thereby aiding in the repair of damaged pores in the porous layer 114.

[0525] In this regard, it is generally noted that as long as the negative pressure experienced by the porous layer 114 is higher than the breaking pressure of the pore 159, the pore 159 can remain "broken". If the negative pressure drops below the breaking pressure, the pore 159 can draw liquid from its surroundings to close itself again, in other words, to be "repaired" and thus restore the fluid blockage state.

[0526] like Figure 33H As shown, self-healing can be particularly effective when the porous layer 114 is in contact with a woven fabric layer that is another porous layer 156. However, porous layers 114 with relatively small pore sizes (e.g., meshes) are also capable of repairing themselves. For example, a mesh with a pore size of 11 μm can provide almost the same damaged pore repairability as a woven fabric layer, and a mesh with a pore size of 15 μm can provide damaged pore repairability close to, but perhaps not quite consistent with, the damaged pore repairability provided by a woven fabric layer. However, a mesh with a pore size of 18 μm can provide significantly worse damaged pore repairability than a woven fabric layer.

[0527] Therefore, in such an embodiment, an additional porous layer 156 (e.g., a woven fabric) disposed on and in contact with the porous layer 114 minimizes the risk of an unlimited increase in the number of damaging pores 159, because the damaging pores 159 can be automatically repaired by wetting the additional porous layer 156. This additional porous layer 156 (e.g., a woven fabric) is able to deliver liquid to all pore locations of the porous layer 114 (e.g., a mesh), thereby forming a “self-healing” porous layer 114.

[0528] Note that, refer to Figure 33IIn some cases, the "self-healing" property of the aforementioned damaged pores 159 may be hindered by portions of the porous layer 114 that are not in contact with the other porous layer 156. For example, the other porous layer 156 may be arranged to provide "raises" on portions of the porous layer 114 (see...). Figure 33I (The arrow in the middle). These portions of the porous layer 114 may not receive liquid from the other porous layer 156 because these portions are not in contact with the other porous layer 156, and the porous structure of the porous layer 114 prevents liquid from being distributed to these portions through the porous layer 114 itself.

[0529] Therefore, when the surface cleaning assembly is assembled with another porous layer 156 disposed on the corresponding side of the porous layer, the fluid delivery holes 159 and / or liquid pickup areas PR of the porous layer 114 can be specifically arranged in the areas of the porous layer 114 that maintain contact with the other porous layer 156. Maintaining contact between the other porous layer 156 and the porous layer 114 can mean that any “damaged” pores in the porous layer 114 can be “repaired” by maintaining a liquid supply from the other porous layer 156. This helps maintain negative pressure between the negative pressure generator 178 and the porous layer 114.

[0530] The arrangement of fluid delivery holes 159 in porous layer 114 to maintain contact with another porous layer 156 can be achieved in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, such as Figure 33J As shown, the support member 236 / protruding element 252 may be equipped with an effective area AA, in which a porous layer 114 is disposed. The effective area AA is arranged and sized to be, for example, narrow enough to ensure that the fluid delivery holes 159 of the porous layer 114 are specifically arranged in the area of ​​the porous layer 114 that maintains contact with another porous layer 156.

[0531] In some embodiments, the cleaner head member 248 is manufactured by defining an effective region AA (e.g., a slit) in the support member 236; optionally, a fluid delivery support structure 154 in the form of a coarse mesh is inserted into the effective region (e.g., the slit); and a porous layer 114 in the form of a fine mesh is arranged in the effective region AA. The porous layer 114 may be fixed (e.g., glued) to the top of the fluid delivery support structure 154.

[0532] More generally, a wet cleaning device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a negative pressure generator device and a cleaner head component 248 or cleaner head 100 having at least one waste inlet 142A, 142B and a porous material 168, the porous material 168 including a porous layer 114 hermetically attached to at least one waste inlet 142A, 142B.

[0533] The cleaner head component 248 or cleaner head 100 can be, for example, any embodiment described herein.

[0534] The negative pressure generator device includes a negative pressure generator 178 having a negative pressure generator outlet, which can be activated to provide flow from at least one waste inlet 242A, 242B to and through the negative pressure generator outlet, and can be deactivated to stop the flow.

[0535] In at least some embodiments, the negative pressure generator device is configured to restrict fluid flow from the negative pressure generator outlet toward at least one contaminant inlet 242A, 242B, at least when the negative pressure generator is deactivated.

[0536] The flow provided by the negative pressure generator 178 can generate negative pressure in at least one of the waste inlets 142A, 142B. Porous material 168 (especially wetted porous material 168) can help maintain the negative pressure, and liquid can be drawn through the porous material 168 and into the waste inlet, as previously described.

[0537] Figure 34 An exemplary wet cleaning device 278 is schematically depicted before (left-hand view), during (center view), and after (right-hand view) the liquid 190 is drawn through the porous material 168. Figure 34 The left-hand diagram can be viewed as depicting, for example, a completely dry system at the start of a cleaning cycle. Figure 34 The central diagram shows a wet cleaning device 278 in operation, during which liquid 190 (e.g., water) in contact with porous material 168 is conveyed through the wet cleaning device 278 along the direction of dirt inlet 142A. Therefore, the surface 218 to be cleaned can become dry or at least drier, but not all of the liquid 190 is conveyed away from the cleaner head 100, for example, to a dirt liquid collection tank included in the wet cleaning device 278. Figure 34 (Not visible in the image). In this non-limiting example, some liquid 190 may be retained in the flow path of the liquid delivery support structure 154, as shown. Liquid 190 may be beneficial during operation because it helps keep the porous material 168 moist, even when liquid 190 is not present on the surface 218 to be cleaned. As previously mentioned, residual liquid 190 in the pores 159 of the porous material 168 helps maintain negative pressure. When negative pressure is maintained in the dirt inlet 142A, liquid 190 is retained on the dirt inlet side of the porous material 168, as shown in the image. Figure 34 As shown in the central diagram.

[0538] However, when the negative pressure generator 178 is deactivated, for example by being turned off after using the wet cleaning equipment 278, the loss of negative pressure may be caused by fluid (e.g., ambient air) entering through the negative pressure generator outlet. This can cause liquid 190 to be released from the porous material 168, for example, dripping, as... Figure 34As shown in the right-hand diagram.

[0539] After cleaning, such as wiping the surface to be cleaned, when the negative pressure generator 178 is deactivated, such as when it returns to the surface 218 to be (or already) cleaned, and / or during the transport of the wet cleaning equipment 278 to its storage location, it is not desirable for the liquid 190 to be released through the porous material 168.

[0540] To this end, the negative pressure generator device can be configured to restrict (e.g., block) the flow of fluid (e.g., ambient air) from the negative pressure generator outlet toward the contaminant inlets(one or more), at least when the negative pressure generator 178 is not in use (e.g., when the negative pressure generator 178 is turned off). This can mitigate the release of problematic liquid from the porous material 168, for example, after cleaning the surface 218 to be cleaned and / or while the wet cleaning equipment is loaded into the storage area after use.

[0541] Figure 35 An exemplary wet cleaning device 278 including such a negative pressure generator device 280 is schematically depicted. Figure 35 In the left-hand diagram, the negative pressure generator 178 is activated; in this example, it's a pump. This is indicated as "pump start." Figure 35 In the diagram on the right, the negative pressure generator 178 is deactivated, as indicated by "Pump Off". (This is related to the above regarding...) Figure 34 Conversely, the liquid leakage is restricted (e.g., blocked) from the negative pressure generator outlet toward the contaminant inlet 142A, such as... Figure 35 As shown in the fork shape 282. In this way, negative pressure can be better maintained after the negative pressure generator 178 is deactivated, thereby reducing the release of problematic liquid from the porous material 168.

[0542] At least when the negative pressure generator 178 is deactivated, any suitable way to configure the negative pressure generator device 280 to restrict the flow of fluid from the negative pressure generator outlet toward the sludge inlet 142A can be considered.

[0543] In some embodiments, the negative pressure generator 178 itself is configured to restrict the backflow of fluid (e.g., air) from the negative pressure generator outlet in the direction of the dirt inlet 142A when the negative pressure generator 178 is deactivated.

[0544] In such Figure 36 In some of the embodiments shown, the negative pressure generator 178 is a displacement pump, or includes a positive displacement pump. This design of a positive displacement pump means that the backflow of fluid (e.g., air) from the negative pressure generator outlet (in other words, the pump outlet) along the direction of the sludge inlet 142A is inherently restricted.

[0545] Examples of such positive displacement pumps include peristaltic pumps, diaphragm pumps, and piston pumps. Therefore, negative pressure generator 178 may include, or be composed of, one or more of peristaltic pumps, diaphragm pumps, and piston pumps.

[0546] Reference Figure 36 The depicted peristaltic pump may include a compressible hose 284 located between the pump / negative pressure generator inlet 286 and the pump / negative pressure generator outlet 288, which is compressed at at least one location when the peristaltic pump is deactivated. Therefore, when the peristaltic pump is deactivated, the backflow of fluid (e.g., air) from the pump outlet toward the waste inlet 142A can be limited, for example, blocked. The selection of the peristaltic pump can thus minimize negative pressure loss in the waste inlet, and thereby minimize problematic liquid released to the outside of the cleaner head 100 via the porous material 168.

[0547] The peristaltic pump may, for example, include a rotatable compression boot assembly 290, which includes at least one compression boot element 292, through which the rotation of the compression boot assembly 290 and the accompanying compression of the compressible hose 284 provide flow.

[0548] The diaphragm pump and piston pump described above use a similar type of structure, wherein the pump's stationary state (i.e., when the pump is stopped) restricts backflow from the pump outlet 288 in the direction of the sludge inlet 142A.

[0549] In some embodiments, such as as an alternative to or supplement to the aforementioned positive displacement pump constituting the negative pressure generator 178, the negative pressure generator device 280 includes, for example, a pump composed of... Figure 35 The fork-shaped 282 in the figure represents a valve assembly configured to restrict fluid flow from the negative pressure generator outlet 288 toward at least one sludge inlet 142A.

[0550] exist Figure 35 In the non-limiting example shown, the valve assembly is configured to restrict the passage of fluid between the negative pressure generator inlet 286 and at least one dirt inlet 142A.

[0551] Alternatively or additionally, the passage of fluid may be restricted between the negative pressure generator outlet 288 and the negative pressure generator inlet 186, for example, as described above with respect to the positive displacement pump, the positive displacement pump being included in or defining the negative pressure generator 178.

[0552] The valve assembly may have any suitable design. In some embodiments, the valve assembly is configured to restrict the passage of air in response to the deactivation of the negative pressure generator 178. This can be considered an “active” valve that is triggered by the deactivation of the negative pressure generator 178 to shut down the system (by restricting fluid flow from the negative pressure generator outlet 288 toward the dirt inlet 142A).

[0553] In some embodiments, the valve assembly includes a one-way valve configured to prevent fluid from flowing toward at least one contaminant inlet 142A. The one-way valve can be considered a “passive” valve. Such a one-way valve can be arranged to allow fluid (e.g., air and / or liquid) to flow away from the porous material 168, but prevent fluid (e.g., air and / or liquid) from returning toward the contaminant inlet 142A when and after the negative pressure generator 178 is deactivated. Any suitable one-way valve design, such as a ball check valve, is conceivable.

[0554] In a non-limiting example, an additional porous material portion, such as that made of microfiber fabric, is disposed between the porous layer 114 and the negative pressure generator outlet 288. The additional porous material portion may allow fluid (e.g., air and / or liquid) to flow away from the porous layer 114, but (at least) restricts the return of fluid (e.g., air and / or liquid) toward the porous layer 114 when the negative pressure generator 178 is deactivated.

[0555] More generally, the negative pressure generator 178 can be configured such that when flow is provided through the (activated) negative pressure generator 178, the flow rate is 40 cm. 3 / minute to 2000cm 3 Within the range of / minute, more preferably within 80cm 3 / minute to 750cm 3 Within the range of / minute, or even more preferably within 100cm 3 / minute to 300cm 3 Within the range of / minute, the most preferred value is 150cm. 3 / minute to 300cm 3 Within a range of / minute.

[0556] This flow (i.e., flow rate) can take advantage of the negative pressure retention capability of the porous material 168 and ensure sufficient liquid pick-up while limiting energy consumption.

[0557] To reiterate, wet cleaning equipment 278 may include a waste liquid collection tank for collecting waste liquid (in Figure 35 and Figure 36(Not visible in the image) The negative pressure generator device 280 is arranged such that flow to and through the negative pressure generator outlet 288 draws waste liquid from at least one waste inlet 142A into a waste liquid collection tank. In such an embodiment, the valve assembly described above can be arranged in any suitable manner upstream or downstream of, for example, the waste liquid collection tank.

[0558] In some embodiments, a sealed flow path is defined between the waste inlet 142A and the negative pressure generator outlet 288.

[0559] This helps maintain negative pressure.

[0560] In an alternative embodiment, fluid (e.g., air) may enter through one or more areas of the wet cleaning device 278 other than the negative pressure generator outlet 288 and the holes 159 of the porous material 168.

[0561] However, in such an alternative embodiment, the construction of the negative pressure generator device 280 can still help maintain negative pressure by (at least) restricting the flow of fluid from the negative pressure generator outlet 288 in the direction of the dirt inlet 142A.

[0562] In some embodiments, the negative pressure generator device 280 includes a valve assembly 282, such as the valve assembly 282 described above, positioned between one or more regions and the dirt inlet 142A to restrict backflow from the one or more regions toward the dirt inlet 142A. In such embodiments, in addition to restricting fluid flow from the negative pressure generator outlet 288 along the direction of the dirt inlet 142A, the valve assembly 142A may also, for example, restrict backflow from the one or more regions.

[0563] More generally, a wet cleaning apparatus according to another aspect of this disclosure includes a negative pressure generator device 280 and a cleaner head member 248 or cleaner head 100 having at least one waste inlet 142A, 142B and a porous material 168 covering at least one waste inlet 142A, 142B. In some embodiments, the porous material 168 includes a porous layer 114 hermetically attached to at least one waste inlet 142A, 142B. The cleaner head member 248 or cleaner head 100 can be, for example, any embodiment described herein. In this respect, the negative pressure generator device 280 includes a negative pressure generator 178 configured to provide flow within the wet cleaning apparatus for drawing fluid through a porous material 168 into at least one dirt inlet. The negative pressure generator device 280 is configured to control the flow rate based on the pressure within the wet cleaning apparatus between the porous material 168 and the negative pressure generator 178 (e.g., in at least one covered dirt inlet 142A, 142B).

[0564] By controlling the flow rate based on the pressure within the wet cleaning device between the porous material 168 and the negative pressure generator 178 using the negative pressure generator device 280, the delivery of fluid through the porous material 168 can be advantageously controlled. In some non-limiting examples, this control can minimize foam buildup in and downstream of the porous material 168.

[0565] In some embodiments, the negative pressure generator device 280 is configured to control the flow rate such that the pressure is maintained at or above a predetermined pressure threshold.

[0566] By controlling the flow rate to maintain pressure at or above a predetermined threshold (in other words, at or below a negative pressure threshold), stable and efficient operation of the wet cleaning equipment 278 can be facilitated. In particular, maintaining pressure at or above the predetermined threshold can mean that the negative pressure generator 178 can operate more efficiently, for example by intermittently stopping / turning off, thereby utilizing the aforementioned capabilities of the porous material 168 to help maintain negative pressure in the covered dirt inlets 142A, 142B.

[0567] As mentioned earlier, controlling the flow can also help control the wetting of the surface to be cleaned.

[0568] Figure 37A The pores 159 (e.g., micropores 159) of the porous material 168 filled with liquid 190 (e.g., water) are schematically depicted. The liquid 190 thus retained can help maintain a negative pressure in the dirt inlet 142A, with or without flow applied by the negative pressure generator 178, as previously described.

[0569] As previously explained, each pore 159 of the porous material 168 can have a certain breaking pressure, under which the surface tension of the (residual) liquid 190 residing in the pore 159 can no longer withstand the internal negative pressure and gives way. When this occurs, the pore 159 can no longer be effectively sealed by the liquid contained therein, and air can begin to be delivered to the contaminant inlet 142A.

[0570] A typical pump used as the negative pressure generator 178 can be, for example, a flow-driven pump or a positive displacement pump, such as a piston pump, and can move toward its maximum operating pressure (e.g., 20,000 Pa) when the porous material 168 is blocked. The latter can be higher than the average breaking pressure of the porous material 168, for example, about 5,000 Pa, so that the porous material 168 can start at a point to allow air to pass through it.

[0571] Using, for example, pure water as liquid 190 may cause few (if any) difficulties. However, problems may arise when cleaning liquid 190 contains foaming detergents. (See reference...) Figure 37BThe damaged hole 294 can begin supplying air at the rate of a negative pressure generator 178 (e.g., a pump), which may risk generating a relatively large amount of foam 296, which may, for example, relatively quickly flood the waste liquid collection tank (in...). Figure 37B (Not visible in the middle).

[0572] In a specific, non-limiting example, the pump of the aforementioned cleaning liquid supply device (in...) Figure 37B (Invisible in the middle) Conveyed 40cm 3 A cleaning liquid flow rate of 1 / minute. This means it might only be 40cm. 3 A clean liquid (such as water) can be used for pickup. In this example, the negative pressure generator 178 (e.g., a pump) delivers approximately 150 cm. 3 / minute flow rate. This combination can produce at least (150cm) 3 / minute–40cm 3 / minute=)110cm 3 / minute of foam. For example, at 400cm 3 When a waste liquid collection tank of a certain capacity is included in the wet cleaning device 278, it can reach its capacity (or 40 cm) in approximately 4 minutes. 3 The pickup rate of / minute reaches capacity within 10 minutes.

[0573] This illustrates that without remedial measures, especially when the cleaning liquid contains water-based detergents, rapid foam buildup can lead to interruptions in the use of wet cleaning equipment 278. Such interruptions may include frequent interruptions to cleaning to empty the waste liquid collection tank.

[0574] Therefore, for example, the aforementioned predetermined pressure threshold can be set to avoid damaging pressure reaching at least some of the pores 159 (e.g., most or all of the pores 159) of the porous material 168. This helps avoid operational problems related to foam when using detergents.

[0575] The pressure threshold can be set / predetermined based on the destructive pressure of the porous material 168 (as measured using the aforementioned testing apparatus 166 and testing procedure). The predetermined pressure threshold can be set accordingly to limit negative pressure, that is, the pressure difference, such as atmospheric pressure, between the inside of the wet cleaning device and the outside of the cleaner head 100 between the porous material and the negative pressure generator, is (e.g., at most) 2000 Pa to 15000 Pa, more preferably 2000 to 13500 Pa, even more preferably 5000 Pa to 9000 Pa, and most preferably 7000 Pa to 9000 Pa.

[0576] Studies have shown that the higher the negative pressure, the drier the surface to be cleaned may become, as explained above (see Table 2 above). This leads to the conclusion that the wet cleaning device 278 ideally operates under the destructive pressure of the porous material 168.

[0577] The above studies indicate that operation under a negative pressure of 5000 Pa provides favorable surface drying results. Therefore, a working window capable of preventing bubbling can be defined. Table 7 provides specific, non-limiting examples of the operating parameters of an exemplary wet cleaning device 278. Table 7

[0578] The above parameters reflect that porous material 168 can exhibit favorable surface drying ability at 5000 Pa, and can only begin to "break down" at 6500 Pa.

[0579] Therefore, by adjusting the pressure, in other words, by selecting the aforementioned pressure threshold, the negative pressure behind the porous material 168 can be prevented from reaching the destructive pressure of the porous material 168, thus minimizing or preventing bubbling.

[0580] Figure 37C The illustration shows the operation window of the wet cleaning equipment, especially when the wet cleaning equipment is started. Figure 37C The relationship between pressure and time relative to atmospheric pressure is shown.

[0581] The breaking pressure BP of the porous material 168 can be considered negative (referring to atmospheric pressure). Therefore, the pressure within the wet cleaning device between the porous material 168 and the negative pressure generator 178 can be maintained above the negative pressure BP. On the other hand, if the breaking pressure of the porous material is absolute pressure (referring to vacuum, 0 Pa), then the pressure within the wet cleaning device between the porous material 168 and the negative pressure generator 178 can still be maintained above such absolute pressure, particularly through controlled flow, so as to maintain the pressure at or above a predetermined threshold PT.

[0582] Figure 37C A "safe zone" SZ at or above a predetermined threshold PT is also shown, at which the wet cleaning equipment can be operated without approaching the destructive pressure BP of the porous material 168. Furthermore, Figure 37C The optimal working zone OZ is shown, where the requirement to avoid reaching the destructive pressure BP of the porous material 168 is combined with sufficient liquid pickup from the surface to be cleaned.

[0583] More generally, flow control based on pressure in at least one covered sludge inlet 142A can be implemented in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, for example... Figure 38In the illustrated embodiment, the negative pressure generator device 280 includes a sensor 180 and a controller 298. The sensor 180 is arranged to sense pressure measurements inside the wet cleaning device between the porous material 168 and the negative pressure generator 178. The controller 298 is configured to control the negative pressure generator 178 to provide flow based on the sensed pressure measurements.

[0584] Controller 298 (e.g., a microcontroller) can receive sensor signals from sensor 180, such as Figure 38 As indicated by the middle arrow 300, a control signal 302 is sent to the negative pressure generator 178 based on the sensor signal.

[0585] For example, control signal 302 can trigger negative pressure generator 178 to activate it to provide flow, or deactivate it to stop flow. Alternatively or additionally, control signal 302 can increase or decrease the flow rate based on sensor signal 300. Deactivating or reducing the flow rate provided by negative pressure generator 178 in this way can help reduce the power consumption of wet cleaning equipment 278. This can help maintain battery power in examples where the wet cleaning equipment is battery-powered / powered, and thereby increase runtime.

[0586] As mentioned earlier, controlling the flow rate can also help control the wetting of the surface to be cleaned.

[0587] In some embodiments, controller 298 is configured to control the flow rate provided by negative pressure generator 178 such that the pressure inside the wet cleaning device between porous material 168 and negative pressure generator 178 is maintained at or above the predetermined pressure threshold. In a non-limiting example, if a sensed pressure measurement indicates that the pressure is below the predetermined pressure threshold, negative pressure generator 178 may be controlled to deactivate, thereby stopping or reducing the flow rate.

[0588] In a non-limiting example, controller 298 (e.g., including or in the form of a proportional-integral controller) is configured to compare a sensed measurement of pressure with a desired operating pressure (e.g., with reference to the breaking pressure setting of porous material 168, as previously described) and control negative pressure generator 178 based on the comparison.

[0589] In some embodiments, sensor 180 is arranged to sense a pressure measurement of at least one of the following: a cavity 150 located between porous material 168 and at least one dirt inlet 142A and a tube 144A (or tubes 144A, 144B) connecting at least one dirt inlet 142A and a negative pressure generator 178.

[0590] Pressure measurement in the sensing cavity 150 may be particularly advantageous because the flow rate can be adjusted more directly based on the properties of the porous material 168 during use.

[0591] Arranging the sensor 180 such that pressure measurements are sensed in tubes 144A and 144B provides a relatively straightforward way to integrate the sensor 180 into wet cleaning equipment.

[0592] In embodiments where the negative pressure generator 178 is positioned downstream of the waste liquid collection tank, the sensor 180 can also be located within the waste liquid collection tank. In this case, the height of the waste liquid collection tank, for example, positioned on or within a handle, may generate noise (dP = H). cos(α) ρ g, where H is the height of the waste liquid collection tank in the vertical position, and α is the angle of the handle relative to the vertical direction. However, this noise can be compensated for by including an angle sensor (e.g., an accelerometer) in sensor 180.

[0593] More generally, sensor 180 can be any suitable type of sensor, as long as it is capable of sensing the measurement of pressure inside the wet cleaning device between the porous material 168 and the negative pressure generator 178. For example, the sensor includes a pressure sensor, such as a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensor.

[0594] In such Figure 39 In some of the embodiments shown, the negative pressure generator device 280 includes a mechanical regulator 304 configured to control the flow rate based on the pressure inside the wet cleaning device between the porous material 168 and the negative pressure generator 178.

[0595] The mechanical regulator 304 may include, for example, valves 306 and 308, which are arranged to control the fluid communication between the negative pressure generator 178 and at least one sewage inlet 142A based on the pressure in at least one covered sewage inlet 142A.

[0596] exist Figure 39 In the non-limiting example shown, valves 306 and 308 include a valve seat 306 and a valve member 308 configured to have an initial position and a closed position. In the initial position, the valve member 308 is separated from the valve seat 306, thereby allowing fluid communication between the negative pressure generator 178 and at least one dirt inlet 142A. In the closed position, the valve member 308 abuts against the valve seat 306 to restrict fluid communication between the negative pressure generator 178 and at least one dirt inlet 142A.

[0597] In some embodiments, valves 306, 308 are configured such that when the pressure is below the predetermined pressure threshold, valve member 308 moves against valve seat 306 due to pressure in at least one covered dirt inlet 142A.

[0598] For example, valve member 308 can be in the form of a flexible rubber diaphragm with a flat profile in its initial position, and thus spatially removed from valve seat 306 when there is no negative pressure in the covered dirt inlet 142A. After activation of the negative pressure generator 178 (e.g., a pump), negative pressure can be generated in the covered dirt inlet 142A and the mechanical regulator 304. This negative pressure can act on the exposed surface of the rubber diaphragm in the mechanical regulator 304, which can therefore begin to deflect inward along the direction of valve seat 306.

[0599] In this non-limiting example, the threshold pressure can be set / predetermined by the distance between the flexible rubber diaphragm and the valve seat 306. The greater the distance, the higher the negative pressure (or equivalently, the lower the pressure) in the covered dirt inlet 142A required to deform the rubber diaphragm to contact the valve seat 306.

[0600] Once the negative pressure reaches a level that allows the rubber diaphragm to contact the valve seat, the fluid communication between the negative pressure generator 178 and the porous material 168 can be removed, thereby preventing the negative pressure from reaching a higher level than set by the mechanical regulator 304. The negative pressure generator 178 can maintain operation at the same rate toward its maximum operating negative pressure. When the negative pressure in the covered dirt inlet 142A decreases, the flexible diaphragm can move backward toward the aforementioned flat state, thereby opening valves 306, 308 and allowing the negative pressure generator 178 to restore the desired negative pressure level.

[0601] In another non-limiting example, the mechanical regulator 304 includes a switch and a deflectable member, the actuation control of the switch being a negative pressure generator 178, and the deflectable member being, for example, a diaphragm, configured to actuate the switch in response to pressure.

[0602] Such a mechanical regulator (in this case an electromechanical regulator) can be configured such that when, for example, the pressure is at or above a predetermined pressure threshold, a switch is actuated via a diaphragm, for example, to deactivate the negative pressure generator 178.

[0603] This switch-membrane device can provide a simple and inexpensive way to control flow based on pressure without requiring an additional controller, such as a microcontroller.

[0604] In such Figure 40 and Figure 41 In some of the embodiments shown, the negative pressure generator 178 itself includes a pump configured to control the flow rate in response to pressure in at least one covered sludge inlet 142A.

[0605] This type of pump can be considered a pressure-limiting pump. A pressure-limiting pump is capable of generating a certain pressure differential across the pipes it is connected to. In principle, the pump pressure can be adjusted to the pressure required to cover the porous material 168 covering the waste inlet 142A.

[0606] The pressure-limiting pump may include, or is for example, a centrifugal pump. The pump (e.g., a centrifugal pump) may be a liquid pump, or includes a liquid pump. Such a liquid pump may, for example, be arranged between the sludge inlet 142A and the sludge liquid collection tank 310.

[0607] exist Figure 40 In the non-limiting example shown, a negative pressure generator 178 (e.g., a centrifugal pump and / or a liquid pump) is arranged in the cleaner head 100.

[0608] Alternatively, the pump (e.g., a centrifugal pump) may be an air pump, or may include an air pump. Such an air pump may, for example, be arranged downstream of the sludge collection tank 310.

[0609] Note that the waste liquid collection tank 310 can be positioned at a specific height 312 on the handle, for example, 0.5m. Therefore, additional water head may be required.

[0610]

[0611] When considering the position of the handle, including its position when it is laid flat on the horizontal surface 218 to be cleaned (e.g., a floor surface) (where the water head becomes zero), the pressure change on the porous material 168 can be equal to its working pressure. The latter can be achieved by attaching the tube 144A to a fixed height relative to the floor, regardless of the position of the handle, for example by attaching a portion of the waste liquid collection tank 310 directly to the porous material 168.

[0612] Figure 41 A wet cleaning device 278 is schematically depicted, in which a negative pressure generator 178 and a pressure-limiting air pump (e.g., a centrifugal air pump) are used to regulate the pressure. This is relative to... Figure 40 The example shown offers an advantage in terms of startup, as the pump can always be operated using air, thus ensuring that the pump can generate the required negative pressure at startup (the porous material 168 is completely dry).

[0613] In some embodiments, the negative pressure generator 178 (regardless of its design) is configured such that when providing flow, the flow rate is 40 cm. 3 / minute to 2000cm 3 Within the range of / minute, more preferably within 80 cm 3 / minute to 750cm 3 Within the range of / minute, or even more preferably within 100 cm 3 / minute to 300cm3 Within the range of / minute, the most preferred value is 150cm. 3 / minute to 300cm 3 Within a range of / minute.

[0614] Such flow (i.e. flow rate) can take advantage of the negative pressure retention capacity of porous materials and ensure sufficient liquid pick-up while limiting energy consumption, as previously described.

[0615] More generally, wet cleaning equipment 278 may be or include, for example, a wet mopping device, a window cleaner, a sweeper, or a wet vacuum cleaner, such as a can, stick, or upright wet vacuum cleaner.

[0616] In a specific, non-limiting example, the wet cleaning device 278 is a battery-powered (or battery-capable) wet cleaning device, such as a battery-powered (or battery-capable) wet mopping device, wherein the negative pressure generator 178 (e.g., a pump) is powered (or can be powered) by a battery electrically connected (or can be connected to). Due to the aforementioned power consumption reduction effect, particularly mentioned in this example, this power consumption reduction effect can be provided by the porous material 168 covering the dirt inlets 142A, 142B, to which the suction of the negative pressure generator 178 is provided.

[0617] Figure 42 An exemplary wet cleaning device 278 in the form of a wet vacuum cleaner is schematically depicted. In this non-limiting example, the wet cleaning device 278 includes the aforementioned waste liquid collection tank 310 and cleaning liquid reservoir 313. The cleaner head 100 included in the wet vacuum cleaner can move on the surface 218 to be cleaned, assisted in this example by wheels 314 included in the wet vacuum cleaner.

[0618] In some examples, the wet cleaning device 278 may be or include a robotic wet vacuum cleaner or a robotic wet mopping device, which is configured to autonomously move the cleaner head 100 on the surface to be cleaned (e.g., the surface of a floor).

[0619] Figure 43 An exemplary wet cleaning device 278 in the form of a robotic wet vacuum cleaner is schematically depicted. The robotic wet vacuum cleaner can move autonomously on the surface 218 to be cleaned, for example by automatic control of wheels 314.

[0620] During the autonomous movement of the robotic wet vacuum cleaner, the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid reservoir 313 can be delivered to the surface to be cleaned, and the liquid can be picked up through the covered dirt inlet 142A of the cleaner head 100 and collected in the dirt liquid collection tank 310. The negative pressure generator 178 / negative pressure generator device 280 and / or the cleaning liquid supply device can also be automatically controlled.

[0621] By studying the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments in practicing the claimed invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0622] The fact that certain measures are described in mutually different dependent claims does not imply that combinations of these measures cannot be used advantageously.

[0623] If the term “suitable” is used in the claims or specification, note that the term “suitable” is intended to be equivalent to the term “constructed to”.

[0624] Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A cleaner head component (248) for a cleaner head (100) of a wet cleaning device (278), the cleaner head component comprising a porous layer (114) adapted to withstand negative pressure generated by a negative pressure generator (178) included in the wet cleaning device, the porous layer having a limiting pore diameter equal to or less than 105 μm as measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, a plurality of pores (159) of the porous layer extending across the thickness of the porous layer and opening at opposite sides of the porous layer, a linear central axis (163) of each pore extending across the thickness and passing through a midpoint (164) surrounded by the pore wall (165) of the corresponding pore, the pore wall being arranged around the linear central axis, the path of least resistance for fluid flow across the porous layer being defined along the linear central axis of the pore.

2. The cleaner head component (248) according to claim 1, wherein, The porous layer (114) has multiple holes (159) each having a polygonal or circular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the linear central axis (163).

3. The cleaner head component (248) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The porous layer (114) has multiple holes (159) each having a square cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the linear central axis (163).

4. The cleaner head component (248) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The thickness of the porous layer (114) is less than 200 μm.

5. The cleaner head component (248) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The thickness of the porous layer (114) is less than 100 μm.

6. The cleaner head component (248) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The porous layer (114) includes a mesh.

7. The cleaner head component (248) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The porous layer (114) includes a perforated film.

8. The cleaner head component (248) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The porous layer (114) comprises a plain weave web.

9. The cleaner head component (248) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The porous layer (114) comprises a twill woven web.

10. The cleaner head component (248) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The porous layer (114) is formed of a material having a water contact angle of less than 90°.

11. The cleaner head component (248) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The porous layer (114) is formed from one or more of polyester and polyamide.

12. The cleaner head component (248) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a support member (236) for supporting the porous layer (114).

13. The cleaner head component (248) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a flexible material (238), wherein the porous layer (114) is disposed on the flexible material (238).

14. The cleaner head component (248) according to claim 13, wherein, The flexible material includes a curved surface (258), on which a porous layer (114) is disposed, the porous layer following the curvature of the curved surface.

15. The cleaner head component (248) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, One or more waste inlets (142A, 142B) are defined in the cleaner head member, and the porous layer (114) covers the one or more waste inlets.

16. The cleaner head component (248) according to claim 15, wherein, The liquid pickup area (PR) of the porous layer (114) is defined by the sealed attachment of the porous layer around the at least one dirt inlet (142A, 142B).

17. The cleaner head component (248) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein, The confined pore diameter of the porous layer (114), as measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, is at least 6 μm.

18. The cleaner head component (248) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein, The confined pore diameter of the porous layer (114), as measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, is at least 8 μm.

19. The cleaner head component (248) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein, The confined pore diameter of the porous layer (114), as measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, is at least 11 μm.

20. A surface cleaning assembly, comprising: Cleaner head component (248) according to any one of claims 1 to 19; as well as The cleaning material (244) is used to contact the surface to be cleaned, the cleaning material including another porous layer (156) for being disposed on the porous layer.

21. The surface cleaning assembly according to claim 20, wherein, The other porous layer (156) includes one or more woven fabric layers.

22. The surface cleaning assembly according to claim 20 or 21, wherein, The other porous layer (156) has a confined pore diameter equal to or less than 105 μm as measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A.

23. The surface cleaning assembly according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein, The other porous layer (156) has a confined pore diameter equal to or greater than 15 μm as measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A.

24. The surface cleaning assembly according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein, The fluid delivery holes (159) of the porous layer (114) are specifically arranged in the following region of the porous layer, which remains in contact with the other porous layer (156) when the surface cleaning assembly is assembled with the other porous layer arranged on the porous layer.

25. The surface cleaning assembly according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein, The other porous layer (156) has a porous structure configured to allow fluid to be transported laterally in a first direction within the other porous layer and to allow fluid to be transported toward the porous layer (114) in a second direction across the thickness of the other porous layer.

26. The surface cleaning assembly according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein at least one of the other porous layers (156) of the cleaning material (244) is removable from the porous layer (114).

27. The surface cleaning assembly according to any one of claims 20 to 26, wherein, The cleaning material (244) also includes cleaning liquid applicator materials (126, 128) configured to apply cleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned.

28. A wet cleaning device (278), comprising: The cleaner head component (248) according to any one of claims 1 to 19 or the surface cleaning assembly according to any one of claims 20 to 27; and A negative pressure generator (178) is used to subject the porous layer (114) to negative pressure.

29. The wet cleaning device (278) according to claim 28, wherein, The negative pressure generator (178) is configured to generate up to 2000 cm 3 / min of flow through the porous layer (114).

30. Use of a porous layer (114) having a limiting pore diameter equal to or less than 105 μm as measured using ASTM F316-03, 2019, Test A, wherein a plurality of pores (159) of the porous layer extend across the thickness of the porous layer and open at opposite sides of the porous layer, wherein a linear central axis (163) of each pore extends across the thickness and passes through a midpoint (164) surrounded by the pore wall (165) of the corresponding pore, wherein the path of least resistance for fluid flow across the porous layer is defined along the linear central axis of the pore, wherein said use includes subjecting the porous layer to a negative pressure generated by a negative pressure generator included in said wet cleaning equipment.

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