Dual-Duct Peristaltic Pump for Compact Cleaning Device Fluid Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning devices struggle to achieve a lightweight and compact design while maintaining the capability for both outgoing and incoming fluid transport functions, and ensuring reliable operation with differing flow volumes.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning device with a surface interaction arrangement and a cleaning arrangement that includes a peristaltic pump acting on two locally compressible ducts, allowing for simultaneous outgoing and incoming fluid transport functions without the need for separate pumps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate pumps are used for outgoing and incoming fluid transport, then transport reliability is improved, but device weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport reliabilityVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate pump functions (outgoing fluid transport and incoming fluid transport) into a single peristaltic pump unit. This merging reduces the overall device weight and complexity while maintaining the ability to perform both transport functions simultaneously through different ducts (first duct for outgoing flow, second duct for incoming flow).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If a single pump serves both outgoing and incoming transport functions, then device complexity is reduced, but flow volume control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump system complexityVSAvoidflow volume control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The single peristaltic pump is segmented to act on two separate ducts (first duct and second duct) independently. This segmentation allows different flow volumes to be controlled in each duct while using a single pump unit, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining flow control precision through the dual-duct configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Weight of moving object

If compact design is implemented, then device portability is improved, but space for fluid transport components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice portabilityVSAvoidspace for fluid transport components
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the outgoing and incoming transport functions into a single peristaltic pump acting on two ducts, the patent achieves a compact design that reduces overall device volume while maintaining adequate space for fluid transport. This integration eliminates the need for separate pump housings and associated components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enables a compact and reliable cleaning device that can efficiently manage both the supply of cleaning fluid and the removal of dirt and particles, with the option to adjust flow rates based on duct diameters and operational modes.

Implementation Method 1

a peristaltic pump comprising a single central unit which is rotatable about a central axis thereof and which is arranged and configured to act simultaneously on the first duct and the second duct

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPeristalsis: Peristalsis

Implementation Method 2

both the first duct and the second duct are locally compressible

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP4566502A1Pumping fluids in two ducts of a cleaning device
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 VERSUNI HLDG BV
  • EP4566502A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4566502A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4566502A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

In the context of cleaning surfaces by using cleaning fluid, a cleaning device is provided which comprises a cleaning arrangement (40) designed to realize both an outgoing transport of cleaning fluid from a source (41) of the cleaning fluid towards a surface to be cleaned and an incoming transport of fluid and particles from the surface to a discharge site (42) configured to receive the fluid and particles. To this end, the cleaning arrangement (40) comprises a first duct (43) and a second duct (44) which are both locally compressible, and a peristaltic pump (50) comprising a single central unit (52) which is rotatable about a central axis (53) thereof and which is arranged and configured to act simultaneously on the first duct (43) and the second duct (44). The respective ducts (43, 44) may be located at opposite sides of the central unit (52) of the peristaltic pump (50).