Extraction Cleaner Airflow Drying for Faster Surface Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Upright extraction cleaning machines leave surfaces wet for extended periods, causing interruptions in activities due to prolonged drying times, as existing solutions do not effectively accelerate the drying process.
Innovation Solution
A portable cleaning apparatus with a blower assembly that blows air tangentially across the surface at high flow rates, typically 20-100 cubic feet per minute, to accelerate drying, which can be heated and integrated with the suction system for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If extraction cleaning is performed to remove dirt from surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but drying time increases causing activity interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the suction system and blower system into a single integrated cleaning apparatus. The suction nozzle removes excess cleaning liquid while the blower nozzle simultaneously or subsequently delivers heated air to accelerate drying, merging two functions (liquid removal and drying) into one device to reduce total drying time and activity interruptions
Solution Approach 2:
The suction nozzle performs preliminary action by removing excess cleaning liquid from the surface before the drying phase begins. This preliminary liquid removal reduces the moisture load that subsequent heating must evaporate, thereby accelerating the overall drying process and reducing activity interruptions
2Speed
If heated air is delivered into the carpet to accelerate drying, then drying speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic principles by delivering heated air through a blower nozzle either into or across the carpet surface. This pneumatic approach accelerates drying through forced convection and heat transfer, achieving faster drying speeds while maintaining relatively simple device architecture compared to alternative heating methods
Solution Approach 2:
The blower assembly serves multiple functions: it generates airflow for drying, can be configured to deliver heated air, and works with the suction system. This multi-functionality achieves accelerated drying while avoiding the need for separate dedicated heating devices, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
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 high airflow significantly reduces drying time, allowing surfaces to be used sooner and minimizing interruptions in activities, while also being adaptable for various types of cleaning machines and surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a blower assembly mounted on the housing for blowing air tangentially across the surface to be cleaned to dry the surface subsequent to the removal of liquid from the surface
Implementation Method 2
a suction nozzle and a suction source both mounted on the housing and the suction source having an inlet functionally connected to the suction nozzle for removing liquid from the surface to be cleaned
Data Source
AI summary
A portable cleaning apparatus comprises a base module for movement along a surface, the base module having a front portion, an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module, a cleaning liquid dispensing system for applying a cleaning liquid to a surface to be cleaned, an agitation assembly associated with the base module, and a vacuum inlet associated with the base module, the improvement comprising a blower assembly associated with one of the base module and the upright handle for blowing air tangentially across the surface to dry the surface.