Cleaning tool for a surface cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaners struggle to effectively capture large debris and liquids, leading to performance issues and foul odors due to trapped debris in internal systems, and require complex clean-up processes.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning tool for surface cleaners featuring a filter receptacle with a frame and filter material that captures debris while allowing airflow, a removable design for easy cleaning, and baffles to direct debris away from the outlet, integrated with a suction pathway and adapter coupling for attachment to the cleaner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a standard 5-gallon bucket is used as a debris container, then the cleaner can handle larger debris particles, but the debris container becomes too heavy to be manually movable
Solution Approach 1:
The debris container is segmented into a modular design where the filter receptacle can be detached from the tool housing. This allows the heavy filtration system to be separated from the lightweight handheld tool, enabling the user to leave the heavy portion at the work site while porting only the lightweight tool.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter coupling acts as an intermediary component that selectively attaches the tool to different extraction cleaner hoses. This allows the tool to interface with various suction sources without requiring a permanent connection to a specific heavy-duty container system.
2Reliability
If the tool is designed with a permanent filter assembly, then filtration is always available, but the tool complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly transitions from a fixed permanent state to a dynamic removable state. The filter receptacle can be detached from the tool housing and replaced as needed, allowing the system to adapt between having filtration capability and having simplified tool configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter coupling provides universal compatibility with different extraction cleaner hoses, allowing the same tool to function with various suction sources. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized tools while maintaining reliable operation across different cleaning scenarios.
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 tool efficiently captures large debris and liquids before they enter the cleaner's internal systems, reducing maintenance and odor issues, while facilitating easy cleaning and attachment to various surface cleaning apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
A cleaning tool for a surface cleaner
Data Source
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AI summary
A cleaning tool (10) adapted to couple with a hose (55) of an extraction cleaner (12) including a suction source (66) includes a tool housing (14) and a filter receptacle (18). The tool housing (14) at least partially defines a suction pathway (22). The tool housing (14) includes a body (26) defining an access opening (30) to a tool interior (34), a suction nozzle (38) defining a tool nozzle inlet (42) that is in communication with the suction pathway (22), and an adapter coupling (46) that is configured to selectively attach the cleaning tool (10) to an extraction cleaner hose (55). The adapter coupling (46) defines an outlet (54) to the suction pathway (22). The filter receptacle (18) is disposed within the tool interior (34) and is configured to capture debris within the filter receptacle (18) while allowing air to flow through the suction pathway (22).