Floor cleaning device with disinfection capabilities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current floor cleaning technologies, such as those using ultraviolet light and ozone, are energy-intensive, hazardous to workers, and can damage equipment and surfaces, while failing to effectively reduce pathogen dissemination in acute care environments.
Innovation Solution
The use of cavitation bubbles created by high-pressure water jets or Venturi tubes, combined with electrochemical disinfection methods like Chlorine Dioxide production, to clean and disinfect surfaces and fluids, reducing the need for chemicals and minimizing equipment damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultraviolet light is used for disinfection, then pathogen elimination is improved, but energy consumption increases and equipment damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ultraviolet light (electromagnetic radiation) with cavitation bubbles (mechanical phenomenon) for disinfection. The cavitation bubbles are generated by injecting high-pressure fluid streams into the cleaning solution, creating mechanical shock waves that eliminate pathogens without requiring high-energy UV lamps or large batteries.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic principles by injecting high-pressure fluid streams into the cleaning solution to generate cavitation bubbles. This hydraulic approach creates the necessary mechanical energy for pathogen elimination through bubble formation and collapse, avoiding the need for electrical energy-intensive UV lighting systems.
2Reliability
If ultraviolet light is used for disinfection, then pathogen elimination is improved, but floor surface damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the chemical/electromagnetic action of UV light with the mechanical action of cavitation bubbles. The bubbles generate localized shock waves that physically disrupt and eliminate pathogens on the floor surface without causing the bleaching or degradation effects associated with UV radiation.
3Reliability
If ozone is used for disinfection, then pathogen elimination is improved, but worker safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces ozone (chemical disinfectant) with cavitation bubbles (mechanical phenomenon). This substitution eliminates the generation of harmful ozone gas that poses safety risks to workers, while maintaining effective pathogen elimination through the mechanical shock waves produced by bubble collapse.
4Reliability
If ozone is used for disinfection, then pathogen elimination is improved, but equipment degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes ozone exposure with cavitation bubble generation, replacing a chemically aggressive disinfection method with a mechanically-based approach. This prevents the oxidative degradation of plastic components, pumps, and other equipment materials that occurs with ozone exposure, thereby extending equipment lifespan.
5Reliability
If high-pressure fluid injection is used to create cavitation bubbles, then pathogen elimination is improved, but fluid consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the parameters of the injected fluid stream (pressure, flow rate, injection timing) to generate cavitation bubbles efficiently. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves effective pathogen elimination with minimal fluid consumption, as the cavitation effect is produced through precise high-pressure injection rather than continuous high-volume flow.
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 approach effectively removes pathogens and dirt without the bleaching effects of UV light or ozone, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) by providing a more efficient and safer cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
The use of cavitation bubbles created by high-pressure water jets or Venturi tubes
Implementation Method 2
The use of cavitation bubbles created by high-pressure water jets or Venturi tubes
Implementation Method 3
electrochemical disinfection methods like Chlorine Dioxide production
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for cleaning floor surfaces are provided. In various embodiments, floor cleaning devices comprise enhanced cleaning and disinfecting capabilities. A clean fluid storage tank and a spent fluid storage tank are provided on-board the device. Means for creating cavitation bubbles to enhance cleaning are contemplated. Additionally, chemical agents and systems are contemplated for sanitizing surfaces as well as fluid that is captured or recaptured by the device.