Extraction Cleaner Rotating Tool Grip for Improved Maneuverability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaning devices, such as extractors, face challenges in effectively delivering and recovering cleaning fluids and debris, particularly in reaching and cleaning small, complex areas due to limited maneuverability and fluid management systems.
Innovation Solution
A portable extraction cleaner with a rotating tool grip and hose assembly that includes a fluid delivery system for liquid and steam, and a fluid recovery system, featuring a flexible hose with a swiveling cleaning tool and a hose collar with guide grooves and projections for secure connection, allowing for improved manipulation and efficient cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cleaning tool is rigidly connected to the hose, then the structure is simple and stable, but the maneuverability and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing a rotational joint between the hose and cleaning tool, allowing the tool to rotate relative to the hose axis. This dynamic connection enables the tool to adapt its orientation for better access to different cleaning areas while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The rotational capability provides maneuverability without requiring complex articulated mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the hose is made flexible to improve maneuverability, then the ease of operation improves, but fluid leakage and reliability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary sealing mechanism at the rotational joint between the hose and cleaning tool. This intermediary component ensures fluid-tight sealing while allowing rotational movement, thus maintaining reliability despite the flexible connection. The seal acts as a mediator that accommodates the relative motion without compromising the fluid barrier.
3Ease of operation
If the cleaning tool can rotate freely to improve access to complex areas, then the ease of operation improves, but fluid management and control worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational joint provides controlled flexibility, allowing the cleaning tool to rotate to access difficult surfaces while maintaining sufficient control over fluid delivery. The dynamic connection enables adjustment of the tool angle without completely losing control of the fluid management system.
4Reliability
If a secure connection mechanism is added to prevent leakage, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity and ease of assembly worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism is integrated as an intermediary component within the rotational joint assembly, providing reliable fluid sealing without requiring separate complex assembly steps. The seal is positioned to naturally accommodate the rotational movement while maintaining the fluid barrier.
Data Source
AI summary
An extraction cleaner is provided. The extraction cleaner includes a housing supporting a fluid delivery system configured to store cleaning fluid and to deliver the cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, and a fluid recovery system configured to remove the fluid and debris from the surface to be cleaned and to store the recovered fluid and debris. A flexible hose includes a first conduit in fluid communication with the fluid delivery system and a second conduit in fluid communication with the fluid recovery system. A hand-held cleaning tool including a fluid distributor and a suction inlet is rotatably coupled with an end of the hose. The cleaning tool swivels relative to the flexible hose in a limited angle of rotation.