Dock for an extraction cleaner
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Extraction cleaners face issues with cleaning fluid and debris remaining on the tool head, leading to aesthetic concerns and undesirable odors, and lack of convenient storage options for tool heads.
Innovation Solution
A dock with a retractable tool head cleaning tray and separable tool head receiver, featuring a reservoir for cleaning fluid and debris, projections for loosening debris, and venting apertures for moisture evaporation, along with a tool head receiver for storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the tool head is used to clean surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but cleaning fluid and debris remain on the tool head causing aesthetic concerns and odors
Solution Approach 1:
The dock provides a cleaning tray with cleaning solution that preliminarily cleans the tool head after each use. The tray is pre-filled with cleaning solution and positioned to automatically contact the tool head, performing cleaning action before the tool head is stored or used again, preventing debris accumulation and odor development.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is self-service in that the dock automatically provides cleaning solution to the tool head through the cleaning tray. The tray is designed to be self-contained with cleaning solution and debris collection capability, allowing the tool head to clean itself without requiring manual intervention or separate cleaning equipment.
2Ease of operation
If a dock is provided for storing the extraction cleaner, then storage convenience is improved, but the user lacks a designated place to store tool heads
Solution Approach 1:
The dock is designed with multi-functionality to serve both as a storage location for the extraction cleaner and as a storage and cleaning station for tool heads. The cleaning tray and tool head receiver components are integrated into the dock structure, allowing a single device to fulfill multiple functions: storing the cleaner, storing tool heads, and cleaning tool heads.
Solution Approach 2:
The dock is segmented into distinct functional zones: a cleaner base receiving area, a cleaning tray with reservoir for cleaning solution, and a tool head receiver with multiple arms. Each segment serves a specific purpose, and the tool head receiver can accommodate multiple different tool heads simultaneously, providing organized storage.
3Ease of repair
If the tool head cleaning tray is fully removable from the dock, then ease of cleaning the tray is improved, but the tray may be misplaced or forgotten
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning tray is designed to nest within the dock structure when not in use. The tray can be fully removed for cleaning but has a designated home position within the dock where it fits securely. The nested design ensures the tray is always accounted for and returns to a known location, preventing misplacement while maintaining full removability for cleaning purposes.
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 dock effectively cleans and stores tool heads, maintaining appearance and reducing odors, while providing convenient access and efficient cleaning of the tool head and hose, and offering flexible storage options.
Implementation Method 1
The base includes venting apertures above the reservoir to permit any residual moisture within the reservoir to evaporate therefrom
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A dock (10) for an extraction cleaner (12) including: (a) a base (14) including (i) a horizontal wall (26) presenting a top surface (30) with a perimeter (32) and (ii) an inner perimeter wall (28) extending upward (34) from the top surface (30), the inner perimeter wall (28) and the horizontal wall (26) configured to receive an extraction cleaner (12) base (18); and (b) a tool head cleaning tray (16) comprising (i) a bottom wall (36) and one or more side walls (38) extending upward (34) from the bottom wall (36) of the tool head cleaning tray (16) to define a reservoir (40) for cleaning fluid (42), (ii) projections (44) extending upward (34) from the bottom wall (36) of the tool head cleaning tray (16), (iii) an inserted position (20) inserted into a receptacle (64) of the base (14) of the dock (10), and (iv) a withdrawn position (22) at least partially withdrawn from the receptacle (64) of the base (14) of the dock (10), the tool head cleaning tray (16) selectively manipulable to, from, and between the inserted position (20) and the withdrawn position (22).