Wet Cleaning Roller Braking Element for Low-Liquid Regeneration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wet cleaning devices require excessive amounts of cleaning liquid and have long regeneration times due to the inefficiency of removing dirt from the cleaning roller during the regeneration process.

Innovation Solution

A wet cleaning device equipped with a braking element that decelerates the rotating cleaning roller's fibers, causing a whiplash effect to dislodge dirt and liquid, allowing for more efficient regeneration with reduced liquid usage and shorter regeneration times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the cleaning roller rotates at high speed during regeneration to fling off dirt using centrifugal forces, then dirt removal effectiveness is improved, but the amount of cleaning liquid required increases and regeneration time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirt removal effectivenessVSAvoidamount of cleaning liquid
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The braking element induces vibrational motion in the cleaning roller during regeneration. The periodic contact between the braking element and the roller surface creates oscillations that enhance the separation of dirt from the cleaning surface, improving dirt removal effectiveness without relying solely on high-speed rotation and excessive liquid application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Productivity

If the cleaning roller rotates at high speed during regeneration to fling off dirt, then dirt removal effectiveness is improved, but regeneration time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirt removal effectivenessVSAvoidregeneration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The braking element is applied periodically or intermittently during the regeneration process rather than continuously. This periodic application creates repeated deceleration cycles that effectively dislodge dirt accumulations, achieving thorough cleaning in a shorter overall regeneration time compared to continuous high-speed rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Quantity of substance

If the braking element is applied to slow down the cleaning roller during regeneration, then liquid usage is reduced and regeneration time is shortened, but the complexity of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of cleaning liquidVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The braking element serves as a simple intermediary component between the cleaning roller and the control system. It provides a straightforward mechanical means to decelerate the roller without requiring complex control systems, sensors, or multiple actuators, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving reduced liquid usage and shorter regeneration time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 braking element enhances the cleaning effect with less liquid, enabling better dirt removal and reducing the speed of the cleaning roller while maintaining effectiveness, particularly beneficial for mobile wet cleaning devices.

Implementation Method 1

The inertia of the abruptly decelerated fibers creates a whiplash effect, tearing out liquid and dirt adhering between the fibers of the cleaning surface.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWhiplash effect: Inertia

Implementation Method 2

a large amount of cleaning fluid is required to moisten or rinse the wiper body in order to fling off dirt accumulated on the wiper body using the centrifugal forces generated during the rotation of the wiper body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3474718B1Wet cleaning apparatus with cleaning roller totatable around an axle
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH
  • EP3474718B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3474718B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3474718B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a wet cleaning device (1), in particular a wet wiping device, having a cleaning roller (3) which is rotatable about a roller axis (2) and has a cleaning lining (4). In order to create a wet cleaning device (1) in which the regeneration effect is optimized, in particular while using a minimum of liquid, according to the invention, the wet cleaning device (1) has a decelerating element (5) to assist the removal of liquid and/or of dirt from the cleaning roller (3), which element has an impact edge (7) directed radially outwards with respect to the roller axis (2) and is arranged between fibers (6) of the cleaning lining (4) during a regeneration operation in such a way that the free ends (8) of the mechanically unloaded fibers (6) project outwards in the radial direction beyond the impact edge (7). The invention further relates to a method for operating a wet cleaning device (1).