Cleaning Fluid Mixing Manifold for Selectable Surface Cleaning Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface cleaning apparatuses lack the ability to selectively control the proportion of cleaning fluids for different cleaning modes, leading to inefficient cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A surface cleaning apparatus with a housing and a fluid delivery system that includes multiple fluid supply tanks and a mixing manifold with selectively controllable valved inlets, allowing for precise control of the proportion of cleaning fluids, such as water and detergent, for light, normal, and heavy cleaning modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single fluid supply tank is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability for different cleaning modes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid delivery system is segmented into multiple independent fluid supply tanks (first fluid supply tank, second fluid supply tank) that can be selectively connected to the mixing manifold. This segmentation allows the system to provide different cleaning fluid compositions for different cleaning modes while keeping each tank relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing manifold is designed as a universal component that can receive and mix fluids from different supply tanks. The selectively controllable valves enable the same mixing manifold to serve multiple cleaning modes (light, normal, heavy) by adjusting which fluid tanks are connected and in what proportions, achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate mixing systems for each mode.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed fluid proportions are used, then the manufacturing precision is simplified, but the adaptability to different cleaning tasks is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid delivery system incorporates selectively controllable valves that dynamically adjust the connection between fluid supply tanks and the mixing manifold based on the selected cleaning mode. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt fluid proportions to different cleaning tasks (light, normal, heavy) without requiring complex automated control systems, achieving adaptability through mechanically controllable valve mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fluid supply tanks are used, then the adaptability for different cleaning modes is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to automatically route fluids from the appropriate supply tanks to the mixing manifold based on the selected cleaning mode. The selectively controllable valves and mixing manifold work together to self-regulate the fluid delivery process, reducing the operational burden on the user despite having multiple fluid supply tanks.
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 efficient and adaptable cleaning by allowing the user to select the appropriate fluid proportion for different cleaning tasks, improving cleaning effectiveness and fluid usage.
Implementation Method 1
a mixing manifold having an inlet for the first fluid, at least two selectively controllable valved inlets for the second fluid, and an outlet coupled to the dispenser, wherein the proportion of the at least one second fluid delivered to the dispenser can be selectively controlled
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid delivery system including supplies of first and second fluids and a dispenser for distributing at least one of the fluids to the surface to be cleaned. The fluid delivery system can further include a mixing manifold that mixes the first and second fluids at different concentrations.