Unattended Extraction Cleaner with UV Sanitization on Moving Carriage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extraction cleaning machines lack the ability to sanitize surfaces effectively and eradicate odor-causing bacteria without user attendance, as they do not incorporate a reliable method for continuous UV light exposure during the cleaning process.
Innovation Solution
An unattended extraction cleaning machine equipped with a UV light emitting element mounted on the carriage assembly, which is powered through a combination of sliding conductive contacts or inductive coupling, ensuring continuous UV light exposure during the cleaning cycle to sanitize the surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UV light emitting element is mounted on the carriage assembly for continuous exposure during cleaning, then surface sanitization and bacteria eradication are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional mounting mechanisms and power delivery systems
Solution Approach 1:
The UV light emitting element is integrated into the carriage assembly as a separate module that can be independently mounted and removed. This segmentation allows the UV sanitization function to be added without completely redesigning the entire cleaning system, reducing the impact on overall device complexity while maintaining sanitization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: it mounts the cleaning tools (suction nozzle, fluid distributor, agitation means) and simultaneously provides mounting for the UV light emitting element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mounting structures, thereby reducing device complexity while enabling continuous UV exposure during cleaning operations.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If sliding conductive contacts or inductive coupling are used to power the UV light element during carriage movement, then continuous UV exposure is achieved, but device complexity increases due to additional power delivery mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent offers an inductive coupling option that replaces traditional mechanical electrical connections with a contactless electromagnetic power transfer system. This substitution eliminates wear and maintenance issues associated with sliding contacts while providing continuous power delivery to the UV light element during carriage movement, achieving continuous UV exposure without the complexity and reliability problems of mechanical contact systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Inductive coupling introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary between the power source and the UV light element. This intermediary enables wireless power transfer across a small gap, allowing continuous power delivery to the moving carriage assembly without physical electrical contacts, thereby achieving continuous UV exposure with reduced mechanical complexity.
3Extent of automation
If the UV light element is integrated into the carriage assembly, then unattended operation with continuous sanitization is enabled, but ease of operation decreases due to additional setup and configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The UV light emitting element is merged with the carriage assembly as an integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate setup of sanitization equipment. The carriage assembly already requires setup for cleaning operations, and adding UV mounting to this existing setup process consolidates configuration steps, reducing the overall burden on the user while enabling unattended operation with continuous sanitization.
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 machine effectively sanitizes and disinfects surfaces by continuously exposing UV light to the cleaning area, eliminating odor-causing bacteria and enhancing cleaning efficacy, even when operated unattended.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet light emitting element mounted on the carriage assembly which is powered through a combination of sliding conductive contacts or inductive coupling, ensuring continuous UV light exposure during the cleaning cycle to sanitize the surface
Data Source
AI summary
An unattended extraction cleaning machine includes a housing with a bottom portion that is adapted to rest on a surface to be cleaned, a fluid delivery system including a fluid distributor, a fluid extraction system including a suction nozzle, at least one carriage assembly mounting the suction nozzle to the housing for movement with respect thereto and with respect to the surface to be cleaned, and an ultraviolet light mounted on at least one of the housing and the carriage assembly to emit ultraviolet light onto the surface to be cleaned.