Air-Driven Rotating Jet Hard Surface Cleaner to Reduce Water Ponding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hard surface cleaning apparatuses fail to effectively clean recessed areas and delicate surfaces due to extreme angles of high-pressure jets, which result in inadequate cleaning and ponding of water, especially at lower pressures.
Innovation Solution
An air-driven cleaning apparatus with air induction ports and an impeller coupled to a rotating coupler, allowing for a more perpendicular fluid jet angle and improved surface cleaning at lower pressures, along with interior baffles to direct airflow and reduce drying times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high-pressure jets are positioned at extreme angles to induce rotation, then rotation is achieved, but cleaning effectiveness in recessed areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An air-driven impeller is introduced as an intermediary component between the vacuum source and the fluid jets. The impeller converts airflow into rotational motion, which then drives the fluid jets at optimal angles. This mediator allows the system to achieve rotation without compromising cleaning effectiveness, as the impeller handles the rotational function while the jets focus on cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical rotation system (where fluid jets directly induce rotation through extreme angling) is replaced with a pneumatic system. The vacuum source creates airflow that drives the impeller, which in turn rotates the fluid jets. This substitution allows for more flexible angle control and eliminates the need for extreme jet angles, improving cleaning effectiveness while maintaining rotation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If lower pressures are used to prevent damage to delicate surfaces, then surface safety is improved, but rotation induction capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air-driven impeller serves as a mediator that decouples the pressure requirement from the rotation induction. Instead of relying on high-pressure fluid jets to create rotation (which risks surface damage), the system uses atmospheric air to drive the impeller. This allows delicate surfaces to be cleaned at low pressures while the impeller ensures adequate rotation speed is maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a hydraulic rotation mechanism (fluid-driven rotation) to a pneumatic one (air-driven rotation). By using air to drive the impeller, the system can operate at lower fluid pressures, reducing the risk of surface damage while still achieving the necessary rotation through the pneumatic drive mechanism.
3Loss of energy
If vacuum suction is insufficient or misdirected, then water removal capability is improved (less suction), but water ponding worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid jets are mounted on a rotating coupler that allows dynamic adjustment of jet orientation and positioning. This dynamic capability enables the jets to adapt to surface variations and maintain optimal cleaning angles, improving water distribution and preventing ponding without requiring increased vacuum suction. The system dynamically responds to surface conditions rather than relying on high static suction power.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the fluid jets by rotating them through the coupler mechanism. This allows adjustment of jet angle, position, and spray pattern to optimize water distribution across the surface. By dynamically changing these parameters, the system prevents water accumulation and ponding while maintaining efficient operation at moderate vacuum levels.
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 air-driven system enables efficient cleaning of recessed areas and delicate surfaces with reduced risk of damage, improved cleaning swaths, and minimized water ponding, while allowing for faster drying and enhanced debris removal.
Implementation Method 1
at least one air pathway configured to allow induced air to pass by the impeller blades to rotatably drive them
Implementation Method 2
an impeller coupled to the rotating coupler, at least one fluid jet coupled to the impeller
Implementation Method 3
a vacuum system designed to remove and capture dislodged debris and/or soiled water
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for cleaning surfaces, particularly solid surfaces, includes an outer housing and an inner housing configured to substantially encapsulate a surface being cleaned, a vacuum source traversing the outer housing, a rotating coupler, an impeller, at least one fluid jet coupled to the impeller, and at least one air induction port. The vacuum source is configured to induce air through the air induction ports past the impeller blades causing the impeller to rotate, which causes the rotating coupler and the fluid jets to rotate. Because the rotation of the fluid jets is due to induced air, the fluid jets can be positioned at any angle desired, including a negative angle.