Alternating Fluid Distribution for Consistent Extraction Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional extraction cleaning machines have uneven dwell times for cleaning fluid on surfaces due to the directional movement, resulting in inadequate cleaning performance, especially during the rearward stroke where the cleaning fluid is quickly removed by the suction nozzle before it can effectively loosen and suspend dirt.
Innovation Solution
A portable surface cleaning apparatus with dual liquid dispensers on either side of the suction nozzle, a valve system, and a control mechanism that switches between the dispensers based on the machine's direction of movement, ensuring consistent dwell time and effective fluid application by alternating the cleaning fluid delivery during forward and rearward strokes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the spray dispenser assembly is positioned adjacent to and to the rear of the suction nozzle, then the cleaning fluid can be deposited on the surface during forward movement, but the cleaning fluid has insufficient dwell time on the surface during rearward movement because the suction nozzle removes it almost immediately
Solution Approach 1:
The spray dispenser assembly is divided into two separate dispensers: a forward dispenser and a rearward dispenser. The forward dispenser deposits cleaning fluid during forward movement, while the rearward dispenser deposits cleaning fluid during rearward movement. This segmentation allows each dispenser to be optimally positioned for its respective direction of travel, ensuring adequate dwell time in both directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between the forward dispenser and rearward dispenser based on the direction of movement of the cleaning machine. The control system detects the direction of travel and activates the appropriate dispenser, making the fluid delivery system adaptive to the operational conditions and maintaining consistent cleaning performance regardless of movement direction.
2Productivity
If the cleaning machine moves in alternating forward and rearward directions, then the surface can be cleaned continuously, but the dwell time of cleaning fluid varies between forward and rearward strokes
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid delivery system is made dynamic by incorporating a control system that automatically switches between the forward dispenser and rearward dispenser based on the direction of movement. This dynamic adaptation ensures that the cleaning fluid is always deposited from the appropriately positioned dispenser, maintaining consistent dwell time and cleaning performance across all strokes regardless of direction changes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the system (forward dispenser and rearward dispenser) are assigned different functions based on the direction of travel. Each dispenser is optimally positioned and configured for its specific directional task, ensuring that the local cleaning conditions are optimized for each direction while maintaining overall system consistency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution ensures that the cleaning fluid remains on the surface for a longer period, enhancing cleaning effectiveness by allowing the fluid to effectively loosen and suspend dirt, improving the overall cleaning performance by maintaining consistent dwell time regardless of the machine's direction of movement.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum source fluidly connected to the suction nozzle for removing soiled cleaning fluid from the surface
Data Source
AI summary
Surface cleaning wherein recovering a soiled cleaning fluid from a surface to be cleaned is subsequent to the application of fluid to the surface as a module moves along a given direction as a module moves along different and opposite directions. A method and apparatus are disclosed.