Brush Roller Heating Wall Structure for Rapid Drying and Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaning machines face issues with incomplete cleaning, ineffective sterilization, and prolonged drying times of brush rollers due to constant contact with dirty liquid.
Innovation Solution
A surface cleaning system with a base station equipped with heating wall structures with a controllable heating element and a control unit to perform self-cleaning, sterilization, and drying processes on the brush roller, utilizing a heating element to generate heat and a control unit to manage the suction motor and brush roller motor operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the brush roller is cleaned with water only, then the cleaning process is simple, but the cleaning completeness and sterilization effectiveness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the cleaning water from room temperature to high temperature (heated water). The heating element heats water to a high temperature before it contacts the brush roller, which simultaneously improves cleaning completeness and sterilization effectiveness while maintaining relative system simplicity through integrated heating functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element serves multiple functions: it heats water for cleaning, provides sterilization through high temperature, and accelerates drying after cleaning. This multi-functionality improves cleaning and sterilization effectiveness without proportionally increasing system complexity, as one component achieves multiple objectives.
2Loss of time
If the brush roller is dried using natural evaporation, then the system structure is simple, but the drying time is excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the environment surrounding the brush roller by using the heating element to heat air. This heated air environment accelerates evaporation and drying of the brush roller, significantly reducing drying time while keeping the drying mechanism integrated into the existing heating system.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element continues to operate after the cleaning phase to maintain a heated environment for drying. This continuous heating action transitions seamlessly from cleaning to drying, reducing total time loss without requiring a separate drying system, thus managing complexity efficiently.
3Reliability
If the brush roller is not actively dried after cleaning, then the system operation is simple, but odor and mold growth occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-drying of the brush roller automatically after cleaning through the heating element. The heated environment causes moisture on the brush roller to evaporate without user intervention. This self-service functionality prevents odor and mold growth while maintaining ease of operation, as the process occurs automatically during the cleaning cycle.
4Productivity
If the heating element operates at high temperature continuously, then drying speed is fast, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. It heats during cleaning phases and continues heating during drying phases, then turns off when drying is complete. This periodic operation maintains high drying speed when needed while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation, optimizing the balance between productivity and energy use.
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 system efficiently cleans, sterilizes, and dries the brush roller in a short time, reducing user wait time and enhancing the convenience of the cleaning device.
Implementation Method 1
the control unit is configured to control the suction motor and the brush roller motor respectively to be in continuous operation and to control the heating element to generate heat for at least a period of time
Implementation Method 2
the drying process for the brush roller can be completed in a short time
Implementation Method 3
the ability of the suction motor to drive the fluid flow
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A surface cleaning system, and a method for cleaning, drying, and sterilizing a brush roller (14). The system comprises a surface cleaning device (10) and a base station (20). The base station (20) comprises at least one heating wall structure (8) having a controllable heating element (82), and a power supply unit (7). The at least one heating wall structure (8) is configured to circumferentially cover at least part of the periphery of an exposed portion (141) of the brush roller (14) when the surface cleaning device (10) is docked at the base station (20). Via efficient heating capability of the at least one heating wall structure (8) in the base station (20), and the ability of a suction motor (42) in the surface cleaning device (10) to drive a fluid flow, a drying process for the brush roller (14) can be completed within a short time.