A cleaning apparatus accessory tool having roller assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning apparatuses lack an efficient mechanism for selectively capturing and releasing debris materials from rollers, which affects the cleaning process and requires frequent maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A roller assembly with a support body having arcuate guides and a roller with different surface tackiness materials, where the guides define inlets for airflow and outlets for liquid delivery, allowing for effective debris capture and release using suction and fluid delivery systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a roller is used to capture debris materials, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the roller requires frequent maintenance due to debris accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The roller assembly performs self-cleaning by utilizing the cleaning apparatus's suction and fluid delivery systems. The roller captures debris with its high tackiness surface, then the same suction system removes the captured debris, and the fluid delivery system rinses the roller surface to restore its tackiness, enabling continuous operation without manual maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The roller's surface tackiness parameter is dynamically changed through the application of cleaning fluid. The fluid delivery system applies fluid to the roller surface to restore its tackiness after debris capture, allowing the roller to transition from a debris-covered state to a clean, high-tackiness state for continued effective operation
2Ease of manufacture
If a single-material roller is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but debris capture and release efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The roller is constructed with different materials having different surface tackiness properties in different regions. The high tackiness material (first material) is positioned at the roller surface for optimal debris capture, while the low tackiness material (second material) forms the roller core or backing layer, providing structural support and enabling the roller to be manufactured with differentiated local properties for enhanced functionality
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The roller assembly efficiently captures debris materials using high tackiness surfaces and releases them using lower tackiness surfaces, reducing maintenance needs and enhancing cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The roller includes a base with an outer surface constructed of a first material that has a first surface tackiness. A web feature is coupled to the outer surface. The web feature is constructed of a second material that has a second surface tackiness. The second surface tackiness is less than the first surface tackiness.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A roller assembly tool (20) for a cleaning apparatus (10) that includes a suction assembly (14) and a liquid delivery system (16) includes a support body (26) carrying a portion of a liquid conduit (40) and a portion of at least one airflow passage (34, 130, 132). The liquid conduit (40) is configured to be in fluid communication with the liquid delivery system (16) and the portion of the at least one airflow passage (34, 130, 132) configured to be in fluid communication with the suction assembly (14). The support body (26) includes first and second arcuate guides (74, 76) that define an open end. A roller (28) is rotatably coupled to the support body (26) proximate the open end. At least one inlet (30, 126, 128) of the at least one airflow passage (34, 130, 132) is defined between at least one of the first and second arcuate guides (74, 76) and a surface (32) of the roller (28). An outlet (38) of the liquid conduit (40) is defined between the first and second arcuate guides (74, 76) proximate the roller (28).