Cleaning device, cleaning device assembly and wet cleaning apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wet cleaning apparatuses that deliver and pick up cleaning liquid are often prohibitively expensive due to the need for separate pumps for liquid delivery and pick-up functionalities.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device that uses an underpressure generator, such as in a vacuum cleaner, to control both cleaning liquid delivery and pick-up through a valve actuator responsive to underpressure, eliminating the need for a dedicated cleaning liquid pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate pumps are used for cleaning liquid delivery and pick-up functionalities, then the wet cleaning apparatus can perform both functions, but the production cost becomes prohibitively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the liquid delivery and pick-up functionalities into a single pump system. The pump can operate in two modes: delivering cleaning liquid through a delivery nozzle and picking up used liquid through a pick-up nozzle, eliminating the need for separate pumps and reducing production costs
Solution Approach 2:
The single pump is designed to perform multiple functions - it can deliver cleaning liquid when the delivery nozzle is active and pick up used liquid when the pick-up nozzle is active. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed and lowers manufacturing complexity
2Ease of operation
If a dedicated cleaning liquid pump is included in addition to the underpressure generator, then cleaning liquid delivery can be controlled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cleaning liquid delivery control function into the existing underpressure generator pump system. A valve assembly controlled by the underpressure generator directs the pump's output to either the delivery nozzle or pick-up nozzle, eliminating the need for a dedicated cleaning liquid pump and reducing overall device complexity
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
Reduces costs and simplifies design by utilizing a single underpressure generator for both functions, ensuring efficient and controlled liquid delivery and pick-up without leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a valve actuator arranged to displace the valve member, in response to an underpressure being provided in the conduit assembly, to being positioned to allow the transport of the cleaning liquid past the valve member
Implementation Method 2
an underpressure generator, such as in a vacuum cleaner, to control both cleaning liquid delivery and pick-up through a valve actuator responsive to underpressure
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a cleaning device (110) that includes a cleaning liquid tank (152) for containing cleaning liquid (154), and a cleaning liquid outlet structure (156) for delivering the cleaning liquid towards a surface to be cleaned (158). The cleaning device further includes a conduit assembly (164, 166) and a valve assembly (168). The valve assembly has a valve member (170) displaceable between a first position, in which first position the valve member restricts transport of the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank, and being positioned to allow transport of the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank, past the valve member, towards the cleaning liquid outlet structure. The valve assembly also has a valve actuator (172) arranged to displace the valve member, in response to an underpressure being provided in the conduit assembly, to being positioned to allow the transport of the cleaning liquid past the valve member in a direction away from the valve actuator. Additionally provided is a cleaning device assembly including the cleaning device and a cleaning liquid applicator material for applying the cleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned. Further provided is a wet cleaning apparatus (100) including an underpressure generator, and the cleaning device or the cleaning device assembly.