Floor Cleaner Liquid Delivery Assembly with Damper for Reliable Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional floor cleaning apparatuses with built-in fluid detergent supply units face issues such as detergent leakage, unreliable liquid detergent flow, complex and bulky construction, and high manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A floor cleaning apparatus with a sealed liquid storage container and a liquid delivery assembly that includes a first chamber, a second chamber, and conduits for fluid communication, featuring a damper for storing and releasing pressure to enhance liquid flow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a built-in fluid detergent supply unit is provided in floor cleaning apparatus, then a separate detergent bottle is not needed, but detergent leakage and unreliable liquid detergent flow occur
Solution Approach 1:
A damper is introduced as an intermediary component between the liquid detergent container and the nozzle. The damper includes a flexible diaphragm that mediates the transmission of liquid from the container to the nozzle, preventing direct contact and potential leakage while maintaining reliable flow through pressure equalization on both sides of the diaphragm.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper extracts and isolates the pressure management function from the main liquid delivery system. By separating the pressure control mechanism (damper with diaphragm) from the direct liquid path, the system achieves more reliable flow control and reduced leakage while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If a built-in fluid detergent supply unit is provided in floor cleaning apparatus, then a separate detergent bottle is not needed, but the construction becomes complex and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The damper structure merges multiple functions into a single component: the flexible diaphragm serves as both the liquid barrier and the pressure transmission medium, while the chamber structure combines storage and pressure regulation functions. This integration reduces overall system complexity compared to separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper component performs multiple functions simultaneously: it prevents leakage by blocking direct liquid paths, maintains reliable flow through pressure equalization, and simplifies the overall construction by consolidating pressure management and liquid delivery functions into a single integrated structure.
3Ease of operation
If a built-in fluid detergent supply unit is provided in floor cleaning apparatus, then a separate detergent bottle is not needed, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper uses simple, inexpensive materials such as flexible diaphragms made from elastomers or plastics, which are cost-effective to manufacture. The design avoids complex metals or expensive components, focusing on simple molded parts that are economical to produce at scale while maintaining the built-in supply unit's operational benefits.
4Reliability
If a damper is provided in the liquid delivery assembly, then liquid detergent flow reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper is designed to automatically equalize pressure on both sides of the diaphragm through integrated communication passages, eliminating the need for external pressure control mechanisms. The system self-regulates liquid flow and prevents leakage without requiring additional actuators, sensors, or complex control systems, thereby maintaining simplicity while improving reliability.
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 solution provides a reliable and efficient delivery of cleaning detergent, minimizing leakage and ensuring consistent flow, while also simplifying the construction and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least the second chamber includes a damper for storing pressure when liquid is being pumped from the second chamber to the first nozzle and releasing pressure when liquid is not being pumped from the second chamber to the first nozzle
Implementation Method 2
the damper may assume the form of an elongate tubing which expands when under an elevated internal pressure, e.g. when taking on an amount of fluid when liquid is being pumped from the second chamber to the first nozzle, and which when resumes to it default configuration, when not under an elevated internal pressure, i.e. when liquid is not being pumped from the second chamber to the first nozzle, releases the amount of fluid by default
Data Source
AI summary
A floor cleaning apparatus. The apparatus has a cleaning head portion for engaging a floor surface during cleaning, an upstanding portion for maneuvering movement of the cleaning head portion, a liquid delivery assembly, a handle portion extending from the upstanding portion and a sealed liquid storage container. The assembly includes a single needle defining a first passageway for allowing cleaning detergent from the sealed storage container to travel to the cleaning head portion therethrough and a second passageway for allowing as or air to travel from the surrounding to the sealed storage container for pressure equalization, and wherein the needle has a non-cylindrical configuration and a flattened configuration.