Floor Cleaner Liquid Status Indication for Pump and Supply Faults
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor cleaning apparatuses lack effective indicators for detecting and notifying users of liquid delivery system faults, such as empty containers or pump failures, which can lead to inefficient cleaning operations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sensor-operated indicator system with light-emitting devices to detect liquid pressure and indicate operational status, using blue light for ready conditions and red light for faults, ensuring users are promptly notified of any issues within the liquid delivery system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no indicator system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of detecting liquid delivery faults deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical fault detection methods with electronic sensors and optical indicators. Pressure sensors detect liquid delivery faults electronically, and LED lights provide visual feedback, substituting mechanical observation methods and improving reliability while keeping complexity manageable through electronic integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator system automatically detects and signals faults without requiring user intervention. The sensor-operated system self-monitors liquid pressure and automatically activates appropriate indicators, enabling the device to service its own monitoring needs and improve reliability without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
2Loss of information
If a detailed indicator system is implemented, then the loss of information about operational status is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded LED indicators (green for normal operation, red for faults) to convey operational status information. This visual coding system efficiently communicates complex status information with simple, intuitive color signals, reducing information loss while avoiding the complexity of detailed textual or numerical displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator system provides immediate visual feedback about liquid delivery status through sensors and lights. This feedback loop continuously monitors operational parameters and communicates status changes to users in real-time, minimizing information loss about system state without requiring complex continuous displays, as discrete status indicators suffice for the required information level.
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 indicator system provides clear and intuitive feedback on the operational status of the liquid delivery system, preventing interruptions and ensuring continuous cleaning by alerting users to low liquid supply or pump failures, thus enhancing cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor operably coupled with the liquid delivery system detects liquid pressure within the liquid delivery system
Implementation Method 2
First and second indicators comprising light emitting devices are positioned adjacent the supply container and are operably coupled with the sensor for indicating liquid pressure
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for cleaning a surface includes a liquid delivery system for storing cleaning liquid and delivering the cleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned, and an indicator system that is operably coupled with the liquid delivery system to indicate an operational status to the user operating the apparatus. The indicator system can include a light emitter that illuminates when an operational status is detected. The light emitter can illuminate the container storing cleaning liquid.