Extraction Cleaner Self-Cleaning Recovery Path Using Fluid Diversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Extraction cleaners face challenges in maintaining the cleanliness of their recovery paths and associated attachments, leading to the accumulation of debris and odor-causing bacteria, which complicates post-use maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The integration of self-cleaning features into accessory tools, wands, and hoses, including wand caps and diverter valves, allows for the diversion of cleaning fluid into airflow pathways to flush out debris and residue, ensuring the cleanliness of the recovery paths and attachments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional extraction cleaners are used without self-cleaning features, then the device structure remains simple, but the recovery path accumulates debris and odors requiring manual maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-cleaning by allowing cleaning fluid to be diverted into the airflow pathway, automatically flushing the recovery path without requiring manual disassembly or cleaning by the user
Solution Approach 2:
The diverter valve is positioned to divert cleaning fluid upstream of the airflow pathway entrance, allowing the cleaning fluid to pre-flush the pathway before the airflow carries debris away, preventing accumulation in the first place
2Reliability
If cleaning fluid is continuously delivered to the surface, then cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but the recovery path becomes contaminated with debris and bacteria
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts debris and contaminated fluid from the recovery path by diverting clean cleaning fluid into the airflow pathway, where the suction source pulls the contaminated mixture through the airflow pathway and into the recovery container, separating clean and contaminated streams
Solution Approach 2:
The diverter valve acts as an intermediary device that controls the flow direction of cleaning fluid, allowing it to switch between normal surface cleaning mode and self-cleaning mode by diverting fluid into the airflow pathway
3Ease of operation
If the recovery path is designed for easy access, then maintenance is simplified, but debris and odors accumulate more quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous cleaning action by allowing cleaning fluid to continuously flush through the airflow pathway during operation, preventing debris accumulation rather than relying on periodic manual cleaning
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing airflow generated by the suction source to carry cleaning fluid and debris through the recovery path, leveraging pneumatic flow to automatically transport contaminants to the recovery container without requiring mechanical agitation or manual intervention
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
This solution enables efficient self-cleaning of extraction cleaners and their attachments, reducing maintenance effort and preventing the buildup of debris and odors, thereby maintaining their effectiveness and hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
a source of suction in fluid communication with the working air conduit to draw the cleaning fluid from the surface to be cleaned and through the nozzle and the working air conduit to the recovery tank
Implementation Method 2
a diverter provided on the housing in the fluid delivery pathway upstream of the fluid outlet and configured to divert cleaning fluid into the airflow pathway downstream of the air inlet and upstream of the air outlet
Data Source
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AI summary
Self-cleaning features for extraction cleaners (10) and attachments for extraction cleaners (10), such as accessory tools (142, 290), wands (62, 106, 144, 244, 288), and/or hoses (64, 108, 146, 246), are provided. The self-cleaning features are configured to redirect cleaning fluid from a fluid supply system (12) of the extraction cleaner (10) into a working air or fluid recovery path of the extraction cleaner (10), including, but not limited to into the working air or fluid recovery path of a tool (142, 290), wand (62, 106, 144, 244, 288), and/or hose (64, 108, 146, 246) of the extraction cleaner (10).