Cleaning Device with Inline Dosing System to Reduce Additive Waste
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices face challenges in providing targeted and efficient dosing of cleaning additives, often requiring mixing with excess cleaning liquid, which can lead to unnecessary consumption or disposal, especially when cleaning small or complex surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a dosing system featuring multiple reservoirs for different cleaning additives, an adjustment device for selecting and activating the additive flow, and a dosing pump for precise delivery, allowing for optional selection and adjustment of the cleaning additive directly in the line system or via a distributor line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cleaning additive is mixed with cleaning liquid in the liquid tank, then the cleaning liquid can be supplied easily, but excess cleaning additive is consumed or must be disposed of
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the storage of cleaning liquid (in liquid tank 2) and cleaning additive (in reservoirs 15) into distinct containers. The cleaning additive is only introduced into the cleaning liquid through the dosing pump 8 and line system 9 when actually needed for cleaning, rather than being pre-mixed in the liquid tank. This segmentation allows easy supply of cleaning liquid while preventing waste of cleaning additive.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning additive is prepared in advance in separate reservoirs 15 and only introduced into the cleaning liquid flow through the dosing system when needed. The dosing pump 8 is positioned to add the additive at the point of use rather than requiring pre-mixing in the liquid tank, allowing the cleaning liquid to be supplied easily while the additive is added just-in-time to avoid waste.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cleaning additives are provided for different cleaning tasks, then cleaning versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different cleaning additives are stored in separate, clearly identifiable reservoirs 15 (with different colors and labels) rather than mixed in a single container. Each reservoir can be independently connected to the dosing system through the adjustment device 10, allowing users to select the appropriate additive for specific cleaning tasks without complicating the overall system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The dosing system with adjustment device 10 is designed to handle multiple types of cleaning additives through a single universal interface. The same dosing pump 8 and line system 9 can deliver different additives by simply changing which reservoir 15 is connected and activated, providing versatility without requiring separate dosing systems for each additive type.
3Reliability
If cleaning liquid is sprayed in front of the cleaning element, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning additive is introduced into the cleaning liquid flow through the line system 9 at a point behind the cleaning element, creating a mixed solution that is then applied. This intermediary dosing point allows the additive to be incorporated into the liquid without requiring additional spray space in front of the cleaning element, maintaining cleaning effectiveness while reducing space requirements.
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
Enables effective and efficient cleaning with minimal waste by allowing users to select and adjust cleaning additives as needed, optimizing the use of cleaning solutions for specific cleaning tasks without mixing excess additives.
Implementation Method 1
a dosing pump (8) for delivering the cleaning additive from the reservoirs (15) via lines (9) into the cleaning liquid flow in the line system (9, 16)
Implementation Method 2
a pumping device (3) for pumping the cleaning liquid from the liquid tank (2) through the line system (9, 16) to the wiping plate (4)
Data Source
Figure 1~2-2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~9
AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning device (4) having a support piece (5), a wiper plate (4), arranged at a lower end of the support piece (5), for holding a cleaning element (11) that is mounted on at least one side of the wiper plate (4), a liquid reservoir (2) for holding a cleaning liquid, and a conduit system for supplying the cleaning liquid in the direction of the cleaning element (11) via a pump unit. The disadvantage of known cleaning devices is that potential cleaning additives have to be added to the liquid reservoir (2), which requires some effort and has the disadvantage that the totality of the liquid is mixed with the cleaning additive. In order to solve this problem, the cleaning device (4) according to the invention is provided with a dosing system having at least one reservoir for a cleaning additive, said dosing system being designed in such a way that it can add the cleaning additive to the cleaning liquid.