Floor cleaning device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for cleaning urinal floors in public environments are costly and inefficient, as they require special standing mechanisms for each urinal and frequent manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
A wall-coupled cleaning system with a self-driving cleaning head that is permanently connected to power, liquid, and pneumatic sources, using actuators or motors for movement along the floor, and a docking site for housing the cleaning head when not in use, allowing for periodic cleaning and minimizing disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a cassette-type insert with moveable standing surface is used for cleaning the floor below a single urinal, then the cleaning function is provided, but the device complexity and installation cost increase due to requiring special standing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning head is designed to perform multiple functions: it can clean floors, store cleaning solutions, and self-dry between uses. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each urinal, as one cleaning head can service multiple urinals sequentially, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining automated cleaning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning head incorporates self-drying functionality through heating elements that automatically dry the cleaning member after each cleaning cycle. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual intervention or additional drying mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining automated operation
2Reliability
If frequent manual cleaning intervention is implemented to maintain hygiene in public urinals, then cleanliness is improved, but the loss of time and labor resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning head performs preliminary cleaning actions automatically between user visits by utilizing idle time periods. The system is programmed to clean floors during periods when no users are present, proactively maintaining hygiene before contamination accumulates to problematic levels, thereby reducing the need for frequent manual interventions
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system incorporates sensors that detect the presence of users and automatically adjust cleaning schedules accordingly. When users are detected, cleaning operations are paused or delayed; when no users are present, cleaning operations are automatically initiated. This feedback mechanism ensures hygiene maintenance while minimizing disruption and time loss
3Productivity
If a cleaning head with self-driving ability and permanent connections is used, then productivity and automation are improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning head merges multiple functions into a single integrated unit: cleaning mechanisms, self-propulsion motors, heating elements for drying, and control electronics are all combined in one compact device. This consolidation improves productivity by eliminating the need for multiple separate devices while managing complexity through integration rather than multiplication of components
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning head transitions from a stationary cleaning device to a mobile robot that moves independently across the floor plane. By adding the dimension of mobility through self-propulsion, the system can service multiple urinals and larger areas without requiring multiple stationary cleaning stations, thereby improving productivity while the compact design manages space requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning system for cleaning a floor of a restroom has a self-driven cleaning head. The system has in addition a docking site for at least partially housing the cleaning head when not in use, and the cleaning head is permanently connected to electrical, water cables and hydraulic and/or pneumatic hoses during use.