Cleaning implement with mist generating system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning methods, such as vacuum cleaners and dusting tools, generate airborne particulates and malodors, which can be harmful to operators, especially those with allergies or respiratory sensitivities, due to the agitation of surfaces, leading to the disturbance of dust and debris.
Innovation Solution
A modular mist generating system that can be integrated into cleaning devices, which uses a piezoelectric transducer to atomize a liquid mist that suppresses dust and allergens, deodorizes the atmosphere, and applies treatments to surfaces, effectively reducing airborne particulates and odors by converting liquid into fine mist particles that agglomerate dust and neutralize odors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rotatably-driven agitator is used to agitate debris on a surface, then debris is released from the surface and more easily ingested, but dust and debris trapped on carpet fibers are disturbed and generate airborne particulates that pollute the ambient air
Solution Approach 1:
The mist generating system is activated before the agitator disturbs the surface, creating a pre-layer of liquid mist that binds to dust and debris particles. This preliminary action prevents the particles from becoming airborne when the agitator operates, thus counteracting the harmful effect before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
A liquid mist is introduced as an intermediary substance between the agitator and the surface debris. The mist particles act as a binding medium that captures dust and debris, preventing them from becoming airborne while still allowing the agitator to effectively release and ingest the bound particles.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional dust mop or hand duster is used to dust a surface, then dust particles are removed from the surface, but the dust particles are disturbed and float upwardly to pollute the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The mist generating system creates a liquid mist layer on the surface before dusting occurs. This preliminary mist layer binds to dust particles, preventing them from becoming airborne when the dust mop or hand duster contacts the surface, thus eliminating the harmful airborne dust effect.
3Productivity
If a vacuum cleaner operates with high-speed agitation, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but malodors are released when the cleaning surface is disturbed and as the working airflow flows through the system
Solution Approach 1:
A liquid mist is introduced as an intermediary between the working airflow and the disturbed surface materials. The mist captures odorous particles and compounds, preventing them from being released into the ambient air by the vacuum's airflow, thus eliminating malodors while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
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 system significantly reduces operator exposure to airborne dust and allergens, effectively neutralizes malodors, and applies treatments to surfaces without over-saturating them, improving the cleaning experience and safety by utilizing finely atomized mist to agglomerate and settle airborne particles and odors.
Implementation Method 1
a transducer associated with the chamber for generating vibrations within the volume of liquid to release mist from the volume of liquid
Implementation Method 2
generating vibrations within the volume of liquid to release mist from the volume of liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A mist generating system for a cleaning implement is adapted to generate a finely atomized liquid mist for suppressing dust, allergens, and other airborne particulates. The mist generating system can be adapted to fit many cleaning implements such as vacuum cleaners, wet extraction cleaners, floor mops, and dusters to suppress airborne dust and particulates generated during operation and the cleaning process.