Accessory Hose Position Control for Compact Carpet Extractors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carpet extractors with long accessory hoses face difficulties in storage, entanglement, and manipulation due to their size, and are cumbersome for cleaning areas close to the extractor.
Innovation Solution
A carpet extractor design featuring a base portion for surface movement, a pivotally connected handle, a solution tank, a recovery tank, a floor suction nozzle, and an accessory hose with a holder and sensor to control functions based on hose position, allowing for efficient cleaning and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the accessory hose length is increased to clean hard to reach areas, then the cleaning reach is improved, but the hose becomes more difficult to store and more prone to entanglement
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory hose is designed as a telescopic structure that can dynamically change its length. It extends to a longer length when needed for reaching distant areas and retracts to a shorter length for easy storage and manipulation, resolving the contradiction between cleaning reach and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory hose is divided into multiple telescopic segments that can extend and retract relative to each other. This segmentation allows the hose to achieve extended length for cleaning distant areas while maintaining compact size for storage, addressing both requirements simultaneously
2Length of moving object
If the accessory hose length is increased to clean hard to reach areas, then the cleaning reach is improved, but the hose becomes more difficult to store on the extractor
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic accessory hose dynamically adjusts its length, extending to a longer length for cleaning distant areas and retracting to a compact length for storage, thereby eliminating the need for additional storage area on the extractor
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic hose segments are nested within each other when retracted, allowing the long hose to be stored in a compact form that fits within the existing extractor body without requiring additional external storage space
3Length of moving object
If the accessory hose length is increased, then the cleaning reach is improved, but the hose is more subject to kinking
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory hose is constructed with a flexible corrugated structure that provides inherent kink resistance. The corrugated design maintains hose integrity and prevents kinking even when extended to longer lengths, while still allowing sufficient flexibility for manipulation during cleaning operations
4Length of moving object
If the accessory hose length is increased, then the cleaning reach is improved, but the hose is more difficult to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic accessory hose allows dynamic adjustment of length, enabling the user to extend the hose only to the necessary length for each cleaning task rather than dealing with a permanently long hose. This reduces excessive hose length that would be difficult to manipulate, while still providing extended reach when needed
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning apparatus is disclosed. The cleaning apparatus includes a base portion for movement along the surface and a handle pivotally connected to the base portion. The cleaning apparatus further includes a solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface. The solution tank removably mounted to one of the handle and the base portion. The cleaning apparatus still further includes a recovery tank removably mounted to one of the handle and the base portion and a floor suction nozzle secured to the base portion and in fluid communication with the recovery tank. The cleaning apparatus yet further includes a suction source in fluid communication with the floor suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through the floor suction nozzle and into the recovery tank. The cleaning apparatus still further includes an accessory hose secured to one of the handle and base portion in fluid communication the recovery tank and a holder mounted to one of the handle or base and adapted to receive an end of the accessory hose. The cleaning apparatus further includes a sensor for sensing the position of the accessory hose within the holder. A function of the cleaning apparatus is controlled in response to the position of the accessory hose within the holder.