Cleaning device with a cleaning roller rotatable around a rotational axis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices with liquid-permeable hollow bodies experience undesirable leakage and dripping of cleaning liquid, even when not in use for cleaning, due to constant liquid release from the hollow body during transportation.
Innovation Solution
The cleaning roller is designed to block liquid escape below a minimum speed determined by the balance of capillary and centrifugal forces, allowing liquid release only when the roller reaches a specific speed, using hydrophobic materials and capillaries to regulate liquid exit based on rotation speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hollow body has openings for liquid exit, then liquid can be supplied to the cleaning cloth/sponge body, but liquid leaks during transportation when the roller is not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the liquid permeability of the hollow body dependent on the rotational speed of the cleaning roller. Below a minimum speed, the hollow body blocks liquid escape; above the minimum speed, liquid is released. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by allowing liquid supply during cleaning operation while preventing leakage during transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of liquid permeability based on rotation speed. The hollow body transitions from a liquid-blocking state below minimum speed to a liquid-releasing state above minimum speed. This parameter change enables the system to adapt its liquid permeability characteristic according to operational conditions, solving the leakage problem during transport while maintaining liquid supply during cleaning.
2Productivity
If the cleaning roller rotates at high speed, then liquid is released for cleaning, but liquid leaks during low-speed transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts liquid release behavior based on rotational speed. During high-speed cleaning operations, liquid is released to maintain productivity. During low-speed transportation, liquid release is blocked to prevent leakage. This dynamic response resolves the contradiction between cleaning performance and leakage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning roller automatically regulates liquid release based on its own rotational speed without external control. The hollow body inherently blocks liquid at low speeds and releases it at high speeds, enabling the system to self-regulate and prevent leakage during transport while ensuring liquid supply during cleaning operations.
3Quantity of substance
If openings are provided in the hollow body, then cleaning liquid can reach the surface, but unwanted dripping occurs when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid delivery characteristic changes dynamically with rotational speed. The openings in the hollow body are effectively blocked below minimum speed and open above minimum speed. This dynamic behavior ensures cleaning liquid is delivered during cleaning operations while preventing unwanted dripping during transportation or idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The effective permeability parameter of the hollow body changes based on rotation speed. At low speeds, the parameter reflects liquid blocking; at high speeds, it reflects liquid release. This parameter change enables controlled liquid delivery only when needed, eliminating unwanted dripping while maintaining adequate cleaning liquid supply during operation.
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
Prevents unwanted dripping during transportation and ensures controlled liquid release during cleaning processes, optimizing the use of cleaning solutions and preventing accidental leakage.
Implementation Method 1
the capillary force acts on the liquid in the liquid space, and on the other hand - when the cleaning roller rotates - a centrifugal force acts
Implementation Method 2
when the cleaning roller rotates - a centrifugal force acts. The capillary force causes the liquid in the liquid space to rise under certain conditions into the openings of the hollow body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning device (1), in particular a floor-cleaning device, comprising a cleaning roller (2) for processing a surface to be cleaned, which cleaning roller can be rotated about an axis of rotation (x), wherein the cleaning roller (2) is designed at least partially as a liquid-permeable hollow body (3) having an internal liquid space (4), wherein the hollow body (3) has openings (5) for liquid (6) to escape from the liquid space (4) to the surface (7) of the hollow body (3). In order to prevent an undesired escape or dripping of liquid, the cleaning roller (2) according to the invention is designed to block the escape of liquid (6) from the liquid space (4) below a minimum rotational speed (nmin) determined by a force balance between a capillary force (FK) and a centrifugal force (FZ) acting on the liquid and the escape of liquid (6) from the liquid space (4) is allowed once the minimum rotational speed (nmin) has been reached.