Heat-Retaining Cleaner Skirt for Surface Heating and Drying
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Upright extraction cleaning machines lose heat effectiveness due to cooling of cleaning solutions during transit and application, and wasted heat from warm air exhaust is not utilized for surface heating and drying.
Innovation Solution
The machine incorporates side and rear wall skirts to enclose and retain heated air discharged from the base assembly, directing it towards the surface to enhance cleaning and drying efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heated cleaning solution is used to improve cleaning effectiveness, then cleaning efficacy is improved, but heat is lost during transit and application reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat from motor and fan exhaust into a beneficial heating source for the cleaning solution and surface. The exhaust air, which would otherwise be wasted, is directed through a plenum chamber to heat the cleaning solution in the tank and the surface being cleaned, thereby reducing the need for additional heating energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the motor cooling function with the surface heating function by directing the same exhaust air flow to serve dual purposes: cooling the motor internally and heating the surface externally through the plenum chamber configuration.
2Reliability
If warm air exhaust is discharged to cool motor and fan, then motor cooling is achieved, but heat is wasted without being utilized for surface heating
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust air system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it cools the motor internally, heats the cleaning solution in the tank, and heats the surface being cleaned through the plenum chamber. This multi-functional use of the same air flow eliminates waste heat and improves overall system efficiency.
3Temperature
If cleaning solution is heated prior to application, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but additional energy is required to maintain temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own operational byproduct (exhaust heat) to service its own heating needs. The motor and fan exhaust, which is already being generated during normal operation, is redirected to heat the cleaning solution and surface, making the system self-sufficient for heating without requiring additional external energy input.
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 maintains heat at the surface, improving cleaning efficacy and facilitating efficient drying by utilizing otherwise wasted heat, thus enhancing the overall cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
A source of heated air is enclosed within the base assembly and is ported for discharging heated air through a bottom of the base assembly to the surface
Implementation Method 2
The at least one side wall skirt and the rear wall skirt define an enclosed space beneath the base assembly for retaining heated air discharged from the base assembly against the surface
Data Source
AI summary
An upright extraction cleaning machine for cleaning a surface comprises a base assembly having a housing having at least one side wall and a rear wall extending toward the surface. A source of heated air is enclosed within the base assembly and the heated air is dischargeable through a bottom of the base assembly to the surface. At least one side wall skirt extends from the at least one side wall toward the surface, and a rear wall skirt extends from the rear wall toward the surface. The at least one side wall skirt and the rear wall skirt define an enclosed space beneath the base assembly for retaining heated air discharged from the base assembly against the surface.