Cleaning Tray Layout for Self-Flushing Brush Heads
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cleaning the head of a surface cleaning device with a rotatably arranged brush is cumbersome due to contamination from particles and droplets picked up during use, requiring manual flushing which is bothersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A tray filled with cleaning liquid is used to automatically flush the head by allowing the rotating brush to pick up and distribute the liquid, utilizing suction force and a design with an elevated portion to ensure gradual wetting and continuous flow, eliminating the need for manual cleaning and spillage concerns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the brush rotates at high angular velocity to effectively fling away particles and droplets, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the head becomes contaminated more quickly requiring frequent manual cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device cleans itself by using the rotating brush to pick up cleaning liquid from the tray and distribute it over the head components. The suction force draws the liquid through the head, automatically removing contamination without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
A tray containing cleaning liquid is introduced as an intermediary element. The liquid serves as a mediator that transfers from the tray through the brush and over the head components, facilitating the cleaning process without direct manual handling.
2Ease of operation
If manual flushing of the head is performed to remove contamination, then cleaning is achieved, but the process is cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic cleaning through the interaction of the rotating brush with the cleaning liquid in the tray. The suction force continuously draws liquid through the head, maintaining cleanliness without user intervention beyond initial setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning action continues automatically during device operation. The brush continuously picks up liquid and distributes it, while suction maintains continuous flow through the head, providing ongoing cleaning rather than periodic manual intervention.
3Quantity of substance
If the tray allows direct contact between the brush and cleaning liquid, then liquid distribution is enhanced, but the brush rotation energy increases due to wetting
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is designed with a raised portion that creates a localized liquid reservoir positioned away from direct brush contact. This local modification allows liquid to be available for pickup without the brush being submerged, maintaining low rotation energy while enabling liquid transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush partially picks up liquid from the tray rather than being fully immersed. This partial contact provides sufficient liquid for effective cleaning while avoiding the energy penalty of rotating a fully wetted brush.
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 method effectively cleans the head of the cleaning device without manual intervention, maintaining normal brush rotation energy and ensuring efficient liquid distribution, reducing the effort and time required for maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The tray is filled with an amount of cleaning liquid, and the cleaning device is operated for a period of time, whereupon the head is flushed with the cleaning liquid, wherein the at least one brush serves for picking up the liquid from the tray and releasing the liquid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
In a cleaning device (2), a head (21) of the device (2), in which a brush (22, 23) is arranged, can get contaminated by particles and/or droplets picked up by the brush (22, 23) during one or more cleaning actions. In order to clean the head (21), the cleaning device (2) is placed on a tray (1), the tray (1) is filled with an amount of cleaning liquid, and the cleaning device (2) is operated for a period of time. During that time, the head (21) is flushed with the cleaning liquid, wherein the brush (22, 23) serves for picking up the liquid from the tray (1) and releasing the liquid in the direction of components of the head (21). The tray (1) comprises an elevated portion (3), and the brush (22, 23) is positioned on that portion (3), whereby it is achieved that the brush (22, 23) is gradually wetted.