Extraction Cleaner Air Duct Heating Without Separate Heater
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional extraction cleaners require a separate heater to warm the cleaning liquid in the supply tank, which increases cost and weight, and often suffer from liquid ingress into the motor compartment during operation.
Innovation Solution
A duct system that utilizes heated motor cooling air to warm the cleaning liquid in the supply tank, while preventing liquid ingress into the motor compartment through a designed air pathway and drain system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a separate heater is used to warm the cleaning liquid in the supply tank, then the cleaning liquid can be heated effectively, but the cost and weight of the cleaner increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the motor cooling function with the cleaning liquid heating function by routing heated motor cooling air through the supply tank. This merges two separate functions (motor cooling and liquid heating) into a single integrated system, eliminating the need for a separate heater and reducing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor cooling air pathway is given multiple functions: it cools the motor during operation and simultaneously heats the cleaning liquid in the supply tank. This multi-functionality approach allows the same air flow to serve dual purposes, replacing the need for dedicated heating equipment.
2Temperature
If a separate heater is used to warm the cleaning liquid, then heating effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor cooling system with the liquid heating system by routing heated air through the supply tank. This integration eliminates separate heating components, controls, and infrastructure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining heating effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor cooling air automatically serves dual purposes: cooling the motor and heating the cleaning liquid. The system utilizes waste heat from motor operation without requiring additional energy input or complex control mechanisms, achieving self-service heating functionality.
3Temperature
If the motor cooling air pathway is directly connected to the supply tank, then heating efficiency is improved, but liquid ingress into the motor compartment becomes possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a one-way valve as an intermediary component in the air pathway between the motor cooling system and supply tank. This valve allows heated air to flow into the supply tank for heating while preventing liquid from flowing backward into the motor compartment, thus protecting motor reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The air pathway is segmented into distinct functional zones with controlled flow directions. The one-way valve creates a unidirectional flow path that separates the cooling air function from potential liquid contamination, ensuring that the motor compartment remains protected while the supply tank receives heated air.
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 eliminates the need for a separate heater, reducing the cleaner's cost and weight, and effectively prevents liquid ingress into the motor compartment, enhancing operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a motor-cooling air pathway providing cooling air to the motor and for removing heated cooling air from the motor
Implementation Method 2
a duct system fluidly downstream of the motor and including a heat transfer duct fluidly coupled to the motor-cooling air pathway and delivering heated motor cooling air from the motor to the supply tank to heat the cleaning liquid stored therein
Data Source
AI summary
An extraction cleaner for cleaning a floor surface includes a liquid distribution system and a liquid recovery system. The liquid recovery system includes a motor, and a motor cooling air pathway provides cooling air to the motor and removes heated cooling air from the motor. A duct system delivers heated motor cooling air to a supply tank of the extraction cleaner to heat liquid contained therein, and also drains liquid from the supply tank away from the motor.