Hollow Cleaning Roller Valve for Speed-Dependent Liquid Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor cleaning devices with liquid-permeable hollow cleaning rollers experience uncontrolled liquid release during rotation and transport, leading to inefficient liquid distribution, especially at increased speeds.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a valve element with a restoring force that automatically adjusts its position based on centrifugal force and speed, allowing liquid release only within specific speed ranges, preventing excessive liquid discharge at higher speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cleaning roller rotates at higher speeds, then cleaning productivity increases, but liquid release from the hollow body becomes uncontrolled and excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The valve element is designed to dynamically adjust its position based on rotational speed. At lower speeds, the valve remains open to allow liquid release. When the cleaning roller accelerates beyond a threshold speed, centrifugal force displaces the valve element to close the hollow body opening, automatically reducing liquid discharge. This dynamic response resolves the contradiction by adapting liquid flow to operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow parameter (liquid discharge) based on the rotational speed parameter. The valve element responds to centrifugal force generated by speed changes, transitioning the system from a high-flow state at low speeds to a low-flow or closed state at high speeds. This parameter-based control eliminates excessive liquid loss while maintaining cleaning productivity.
2Quantity of substance
If the hollow body has openings for liquid release, then liquid delivery to the surface is enabled, but liquid is constantly released during transport and rotation causing waste
Solution Approach 1:
The valve element operates autonomously based on the rotational conditions of the cleaning roller. It self-regulates liquid flow without external control mechanisms by responding to centrifugal force. During transport at low speeds, the valve remains closed preventing waste. During operation at appropriate speeds, the valve opens to enable necessary liquid delivery, achieving self-service control of liquid release.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve element is positioned and designed to preemptively close the hollow body opening when centrifugal force exceeds a threshold. This preliminary action prevents liquid from reaching the openings before excessive discharge can occur, countering the potential harm of uncontrolled liquid release while maintaining the capability for controlled liquid delivery when needed.
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
This solution enables controlled liquid delivery, reducing liquid release at higher speeds and maintaining a consistent liquid quantity, optimizing cleaning efficiency and minimizing waste.
Implementation Method 1
depending on the magnitude of a centrifugal force acting on the valve element due to a rotation of the cleaning roller
Implementation Method 2
the restoring force of the restoring element acting against the centrifugal force in the direction of the open position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
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). Said cleaning roller (2) is designed at least partly as a hollow body (3) having an internal liquid space (4). Said hollow body (3) has at least one hollow body opening (5, 10) for liquid to exit the liquid space (4). In order to devise a cleaning device in which liquid is conveyed from the liquid space to the surface of the hollow body under certain conditions only, the hollow body opening (5) is associated with a force-actuated automatic valve element (6) which, depending on the amount of centrifugal force acting upon the valve element (6) as a result of the rotation of the cleaning roller (2), can be moved to a closing position in which the hollow body opening (5) is closed and/or to an open position in which the hollow body opening (5) is exposed. The valve element (6) is designed to allow liquid to exit the liquid space (4) at a first speed (n1) of the cleaning roller (2) and to block liquid from exiting when the rotational speed increases, i.e. when a second speed (n2) which is higher than the first speed (n1) is reached.