Cleaning device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices face challenges in simultaneously operating vacuum and steam functions effectively, leading to reduced effectiveness and convenience due to moisture issues and the need for manual switching, and they often require frequent fluid replenishment and drainage, which can result in using dirty fluid for cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A compact cleaning device with a surface interaction layer that supplies cleaning fluid and drains dirty fluid using underpressure, eliminating the need for fluid storage and ensuring clean fluid is always used, featuring a combination of cleaning and dirty fluid channels and a suitable surface interaction material like microfiber or chamois for efficient cleaning and drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cleaning fluid is stored in a reservoir and applied manually, then the device can maintain clean fluid supply, but it requires frequent manual intervention and bucket dipping
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device automatically supplies cleaning fluid to the surface interaction layer and drains dirty fluid without manual intervention. The system uses a pump to circulate cleaning fluid from a reservoir through channels to the surface interaction layer, and automatically drains used fluid back to the reservoir, enabling continuous autonomous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device maintains continuous operation by continuously supplying fresh cleaning fluid to the surface interaction layer and simultaneously draining dirty fluid. The pump operates continuously or periodically to replenish cleaning fluid, ensuring the cleaning process never interruptions and maintaining high productivity
2Device complexity
If cleaning fluid and dirty fluid are mixed in the same reservoir, then the device structure can be simpler, but the cleaning effectiveness decreases due to using dirty fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid reservoir is segmented into separate zones for clean and dirty fluid using a partition wall with openings. The partition wall divides the reservoir interior into a clean fluid zone and a dirty fluid zone, preventing mixing while allowing controlled fluid transfer through the openings, thus maintaining cleaning effectiveness without excessive structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A pump acts as an intermediary device to transfer cleaning fluid from the clean fluid zone to the surface interaction layer and return dirty fluid to the dirty fluid zone. This intermediary mechanism ensures strict separation of clean and dirty fluid paths, preventing contamination and maintaining reliable cleaning performance
3Duration of action of moving object
If the surface interaction layer is made thick to store fluid, then it can maintain fluid supply longer, but it increases device size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on the surface interaction layer to store large amounts of fluid, the system uses a pump to continuously or periodically replenish cleaning fluid from the reservoir. This self-service approach maintains adequate fluid supply duration without requiring a thick, heavy surface interaction layer
Solution Approach 2:
The solution shifts from storing fluid within the surface interaction layer (vertical/thickness dimension) to storing fluid in a separate reservoir and transporting it via pump (horizontal/flow dimension). This dimensional shift allows the surface interaction layer to remain thin and lightweight while still maintaining continuous fluid supply through active circulation
4Adaptability or versatility
If vacuum and steam functions operate simultaneously, then the appliance can perform multiple functions, but moisture travels into air flow conduit forming grime
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of moisture mixing with vacuum air flow is eliminated by separating the steam cleaning function from the vacuum function. The steam generator and vacuum system operate independently with separate fluid pathways, preventing moisture from entering the vacuum air flow conduit and forming grime, while still allowing both functions to be integrated in one appliance
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 device provides a continuous and efficient cleaning process without the need for frequent bucket dipping, ensuring the surface is always cleaned with clean fluid, improving cleaning effectiveness and convenience by maintaining clean fluid supply and drainage during operation.
Implementation Method 1
a dirty fluid drain (DFC) at the surface interaction layer (ML) for supplying underpressure to the surface interaction layer (ML) so as to drain the dirty fluid from the surface
Implementation Method 2
a cleaning fluid feed (CFF) for delivering cleaning fluid to the surface interaction layer (ML)
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A cleaning device comprises a surface interaction layer (ML), a cleaning fluid supply (CFF) provided with a cleaning fluid channel (CFC) at the surface interaction layer (ML) for supplying a cleaning fluid to a surface (F) through the surface interaction layer (ML) being in contact with the surface (F), and a dirty fluid drain (DFD) having a dirty fluid channel (DFC) at the surface interaction layer (ML) for draining, by means of underpressure, dirty water from the surface (F) through the surface interaction layer (ML) being in contact with the surface (F).