Expandable Hose Layout for Upright and Reclined Floor Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor cleaning machines lack an efficient mechanism for fluid distribution and recovery, particularly in adapting to different cleaning positions, which affects the cleaning efficacy and usability.
Innovation Solution
A floor cleaning machine with a pivotable handle, a supply tank assembly, a suction motor assembly, and an expandable hose that changes configuration based on the handle's position, allowing for effective distribution and recovery of cleaning fluid and dirt, with the hose wrapping around the motor housing in different positions for optimal functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the handle is fixed in a single position, then the structural complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different cleaning positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is made pivotable relative to the body, allowing it to move between an upright position and a reclined position. This dynamic configuration enables the device to adapt to different cleaning positions without requiring multiple separate devices, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose's physical state changes between retracted and expanded configurations based on the handle's position. When the handle pivots to different positions, the hose automatically adjusts its length and shape, allowing the system to maintain functionality across multiple positions without adding complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the hose is made rigid and fixed-length, then the structural complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to adapt to different positions
Solution Approach 1:
The hose is designed as a flexible element that can change its configuration from retracted to expanded states. This flexibility allows the hose to naturally adapt to different handle positions and wrap around the motor housing portion when needed, providing ease of operation without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the hose is always in expanded configuration, then the fluid communication is ensured, but the device occupies more space and becomes harder to store
Solution Approach 1:
The hose dynamically changes its configuration between retracted and expanded states based on the operational needs. When the handle is in different positions, the hose automatically adjusts to maintain fluid communication while minimizing its volume when not in use, resolving the contradiction between reliability and storage volume.
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
Enables efficient distribution and recovery of cleaning solutions and dirt across various surfaces, improving cleaning efficacy and user convenience by adapting to upright and reclined positions through the hose's configuration changes.
Implementation Method 1
The suction motor assembly is operable to draw fluid and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
A floor cleaning machine for cleaning a surface includes a body having a suction nozzle thereon, a handle pivotably coupled to the body and having a motor housing portion, and a suction motor assembly operable to draw fluid and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle. The floor cleaning machine also includes a recovery tank coupled to the handle in fluid communication with the suction motor assembly to receive and store fluid and dirt drawn through the suction nozzle and an expandable hose fluidly communicating the recovery tank and the suction nozzle. The hose is in one of a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration when the handle is pivoted to a substantially upright position, and the other when pivoted to a reclined position. The hose at least partially wraps around the motor housing portion when in the expanded configuration.