Automatic floor cleaning machine and process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Public restroom floors around urinals often remain unsanitary due to urine pools, causing users to stand further away and exacerbating the issue, despite existing cleaning technologies not effectively addressing this problem.
Innovation Solution
An automatic floor cleaning and recovery unit comprising a fixed unit with a controller, sensor, motor, disinfectant solution tank, vacuum, and recovery tank, connected via tubing to a mobile unit that extends and retracts to spray disinfectant solution and recover urine, using a sensor-activated mechanism for timed operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cleaning tools are used, then cleaning operations can be performed, but urine pools still collect on the floor around urinals
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic cleaning operations through sensor detection and automated extension/retraction mechanisms, eliminating the need for manual cleaning intervention and ensuring consistent cleaning performance without human error or fatigue
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system transitions from static traditional tools to a dynamic automated mechanism that extends and retracts based on sensor detection, adapting its operation to the actual cleaning needs and improving urine pool removal effectiveness
2Ease of operation
If users stand further away from urinals to avoid urine pools, then personal comfort is improved, but the problem of urine pool collection is exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensor detection to monitor floor conditions around urinals and automatically activates cleaning operations when urine pools are detected, creating a closed-loop feedback system that responds to actual contamination levels and prevents urine pool accumulation that would force users to stand further away
3Area of stationary object
If a mobile unit extends and retracts for cleaning operations, then cleaning coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile unit is designed to nest within or attach to the fixed unit when not in use, with the extension mechanism allowing the mobile unit to deploy outward for cleaning operations and then retract back into the compact fixed unit configuration, achieving extended cleaning coverage while maintaining a compact stored state
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
Effectively cleans and recovers urine from the floor around urinals, reducing the need for users to stand further away and maintaining hygiene by automatically extending and retracting a mobile unit with disinfectant solution and vacuum capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
using a sensor-activated mechanism for timed operation
Implementation Method 2
vacuum further comprises its own collection tank, fan, motor, and exhaust port; wherein the vacuum is connected by tubing to the mobile unit for recovery of urine and disinfectant solution from the target area of floor
Data Source
AI summary
A floor cleaning device for automatically cleaning in front of and around lavatory appliances like urinals, toilets, sinks, and hand drying devices, wherein the floor cleaning device has a fixed unit, a mobile unit, and an extension mechanism connected to the fixed unit and the mobile unit that sprays disinfectant solution and recovers or removes waste solution during the extension or retraction of the mobile unit from and to the fixed unit.