Animal Cleaning Tool Pneumatic Atomization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for cleaning household pets are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and often result in excessive water usage, leading to stagnant odors and bacterial growth, while also being costly when relying on professional services.

Innovation Solution

An animal cleaning tool equipped with a fluid supply unit that minimizes water usage by using an air supply source and a cleaning agent reservoir, allowing for efficient atomized spraying and quick drying, reducing the need for extensive water and manual labor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If large amounts of water and soap are used to wash an animal, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but water usage increases and drying time extends

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidwater usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses compressed air (pneumatics) to atomize cleaning agent into a fine spray, replacing traditional liquid water application. The air supply source delivers compressed air through a conduit to a spray nozzle that atomizes the cleaning agent, achieving effective cleaning with minimal liquid usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and delivery method of the cleaning agent from liquid pouring/spraying to atomized spray form. This parameter change in delivery method increases surface area contact and cleaning efficiency while reducing total liquid volume required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If large amounts of water are used to wash an animal, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but drying time and risk of stagnant odors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoiddrying time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Compressed air is used both for atomizing the cleaning agent during application and for drying the animal's coat. The same air supply source provides a drying airflow that quickly evaporates residual moisture, significantly reducing drying time compared to air-drying or towel-drying after traditional water washing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes evaporation (phase transition from liquid to gas) of the cleaning agent and residual water, accelerated by the compressed air flow. This rapid phase transition enables quick drying and prevents stagnant water from developing odors or promoting bacterial growth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

3Reliability

If professional grooming services are used, then cleaning quality is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning qualityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables pet owners to perform professional-quality grooming at home using a self-service device. The automated atomized spray system and compressed air drying eliminate the need for professional groomers, reducing cost while maintaining cleaning quality through consistent, controlled application and drying.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual washing methods (hands, towels, buckets) with an automated atomized spray system powered by compressed air. This mechanical substitution delivers more consistent and effective cleaning application, achieving professional-quality results through engineered delivery mechanisms rather than manual effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If traditional washing methods are used, then cleaning is achieved, but labor intensity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning achievementVSAvoidcleaning efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The compressed air system automates the cleaning agent application and drying processes, eliminating manual pouring, rubbing, and towel-drying. The pneumatic atomization delivers cleaning agent uniformly across the animal's coat, and the air drying automatically removes moisture, significantly reducing labor intensity and time compared to traditional methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous cleaning and drying in a single operational sequence. The atomized spray applies cleaning agent while the compressed air simultaneously begins the drying process, creating overlapping continuous actions rather than discrete sequential steps (wash, then dry separately), thereby improving overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 tool provides a deep and thorough cleaning in a shorter time, minimizing unwanted odors and bacterial growth, while being more hygienic and user-friendly, reducing the need for frequent professional grooming.

Implementation Method 1

using an air supply source and a cleaning agent reservoir, allowing for efficient atomized spraying

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAtomization:

Implementation Method 2

quick drying, reducing the need for extensive water and manual labor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3419474B1Apparatus and method for cleaning an animal
Publication Date: 2022.09.14 KIMOS CORP D B A PETSCRUB
  • EP3419474B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3419474B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3419474B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An animal cleaning tool for cleaning and maintaining a hygiene of an animal is provided. An animal cleaning tool includes a top housing portion and a bottom plate surface, the bottom plate surface having a set of brushing elements that are spaced apart and protrude outwardly from the bottom plate. The top housing portion includes an air supply conduit and a cleaning agent supply conduit adapted to be disposed within an interior of the top housing portion of the animal cleaning tool, whereby the air supply conduit is configured to distribute air and the cleaning agent supply conduit is configured to distribute cleaning agent. A method for using an animal cleaning tool is provided that includes dispensing the cleaning agent as an atomized spray of particles onto a surface of the animal using the animal cleaning tool.