Cleaning Apparatus with Adjustable Detergent Valve for Roof Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cleaning residential house roofs with organic matter, such as algae, using high-pressure cleaners and detergents often result in ineffective detergent concentration and increased risk of roof damage, and require manual handling that poses safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning apparatus utilizing a consumer high-pressure cleaner with a telescopic tube and adjustable detergent valve, allowing for a high concentration of detergent (up to 10%) to be applied effectively without interrupting the cleaning process, while enabling safe operation from the ground to avoid ladder risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If detergent concentration is increased to achieve effective cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the risk of roof damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the detergent concentration parameter. The system allows adjustment of detergent concentration to optimal levels that effectively remove organic matter while staying below thresholds that could damage roofing materials. This resolves the contradiction by finding and maintaining the optimal parameter range for effective yet safe cleaning.
2Reliability
If high pressure is used to remove organic matter, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the risk of roof damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the pressure parameter. The system maintains pressure at levels sufficient to effectively remove organic matter covered by detergent, but below levels that could physically damage the roof structure. This resolves the contradiction by precisely controlling the pressure parameter within a safe yet effective range.
3Quantity of substance
If detergent concentration is increased through higher pressure difference, then detergent mixing efficiency is improved, but normal high pressure cleaning performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the detergent supply pressure adjustable rather than fixed. The system allows the user to dynamically adjust the detergent supply pressure according to cleaning needs, enabling high detergent concentration when required while maintaining optimal water pressure for effective cleaning. This resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptive rather than forcing a fixed trade-off.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the control of water pressure and detergent supply pressure into independent adjustable parameters. This allows the water pressure to be optimized for cleaning performance while the detergent supply pressure is independently optimized for achieving the desired detergent concentration. The segmentation of control resolves the contradiction by eliminating the coupled trade-off between these two parameters.
4Reliability
If mechanical cleaning is performed forcefully to remove organic matter, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the risk of roof damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing forceful mechanical cleaning with a chemical cleaning approach. The system uses detergent applied under controlled pressure to chemically break down and remove organic matter, eliminating the need for forceful mechanical contact that could damage the roof. This resolves the contradiction by substituting a less mechanically aggressive method for the traditionally more effective but damaging mechanical approach.
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 apparatus ensures efficient and safe cleaning of elevated surfaces by allowing precise detergent concentration adjustment and high-pressure detergent application, reducing the risk of roof damage and user injury.
Implementation Method 1
an injector (150) fluidly connecting the high pressure hose (42) to the nozzle (80), the injector (150) having a water inlet (112) adapted to be in fluid communication with the high pressure hose (42), a detergent suction inlet (106) and a mixed fluid outlet (114) adapted to be in fluid communication with the nozzle (80)
Data Source
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AI summary
By the invention a cleaning apparatus for cleaning an elevated surface comprising, in combination, a high pressure cleaner (40), a gun (100) having a trigger (104), and a outer tube, which may be a telescopic tube (60), surrounding a flexible hose (70) for a fluid and a detergent, wherein a valve (116) may be provided in, or at, the gun (100), and the valve (116) is regulating the supply of the detergent to an injector (150) which is provided in the flow path of the fluid, and wherein the flexible hose (70) is terminated in a nozzle (80) attached to the distal end of the outer tube, is provided. A method of cleaning a roof of a residential house is also provided.