Hard Surface Cleaning Head With Contained Spray Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning devices for hard surfaces are less than optimal, as they inefficiently spray cleaning fluids, leading to airborne contamination and poor ergonomics during use.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning device with a housing, cleaning head, container, and spray nozzle system that includes a pump and battery, allowing for a fluid-tight and air-tight connection to spray cleaning fluid directly onto the surface while trapping the spray between the device and the surface, preventing airborne contamination and improving ergonomics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If cleaning fluid is sprayed using prior art devices, then cleaning function is provided, but airborne contamination occurs and ergonomics are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairborne contaminationVSAvoidergonomics
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a fluid delivery system with a reservoir, pump, and spray nozzle as an intermediary between the cleaning fluid source and the surface being cleaned. This mediator controls the spray pattern and direction, preventing airborne contamination while maintaining ergonomic operation. The system channels fluid through a controlled path rather than allowing uncontrolled spraying.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of fluid delivery by using a pump to control spray pressure and a nozzle to control spray pattern. This transforms the fluid delivery from uncontrolled spraying to a controlled stream that reaches the surface without creating airborne contamination, while the ergonomic design maintains ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If spray nozzle is positioned to spray cleaning fluid onto surface, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but fluid leakage and hydraulic resistance increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidfluid leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a pump and nozzle system as intermediaries to control fluid delivery. The pump ensures positive displacement and control of fluid flow, preventing leakage, while the nozzle precisely directs the spray to the surface for effective cleaning. This intermediary system maintains reliability while improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs hydraulic principles through the use of a pump to generate controlled fluid pressure and a nozzle to direct the fluid stream. This hydraulic system ensures reliable fluid delivery without leakage while maintaining cleaning effectiveness by precisely controlling the spray parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Ease of operation

If pump and battery system is added to cleaning device, then spray control and ergonomics are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespray controlVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates a battery-powered pump system that serves multiple functions: it provides spray control, powers the cleaning device operations, and enables ergonomic handheld operation. This multi-functional design improves spray control and ease of operation while minimizing the increase in device complexity by consolidating functions into a single integrated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively prevents airborne cleaning fluid from reaching the user, enhances ease of use with improved ergonomics, and minimizes fluid leakage and hydraulic resistance, making it more efficient for cleaning hard surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

The spray nozzle is in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump. The spray nozzle is positioned on the cleaning head so as to spray the cleaning fluid from the container through the first spray opening onto a surface being cleaned.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10881264B2Hard surface cleaning devices
Publication Date: 2021.01.05 UNGER MARKETING INTERNATIONAL LLC
  • US10881264B2 patent drawing
  • US10881264B2 patent drawing
  • US10881264B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of cleaning a surface is provided. The method includes providing a cleaning head, a housing, a pump, the pump having a port, the cleaning head having a nozzle, the cleaning head and housing being connected to one another. A cleaning element is attached with a first opening to the cleaning head so that the nozzle and the first opening are aligned. A refillable rigid container is provided having a cleaning fluid in the refillable rigid container. The port and the refillable rigid container are connected to form an air and fluid tight connection between the port and the container. The cleaning element is placed on a surface to be cleaned. The cleaning fluid is pumped from the refillable rigid container through the nozzle and the first opening onto the surface to be cleaned.