Floor Cleaning Machine Hand-Held Suction Hose for Dust Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor cleaning machines suffer from dust pollution in the surrounding environment due to fine dust escaping from the hand-held suction hose, which is not treated with liquid, and the hose's length and storage mechanism are inconvenient for operators.

Innovation Solution

The hand-held suction hose is connected to the suction pipe between the dirt container and suction device, allowing dusty air to be directed into the dirt container alongside air from the suction device, with a liquid supply to bind dust, and a variable, accordion-like design with a receiving cylinder for easy storage and access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the hand-held suction hose is connected directly to the dirt container, then the hose length and accessibility are improved, but fine dust escapes into the environment through the blower device inlet

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehose accessibilityVSAvoiddust pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The suction system is segmented into two separate suction sources: the main suction device for ground surfaces and the hand-held suction hose for hard-to-reach areas. Each has its own connection path to the dirt container, allowing independent optimization of their functions while maintaining dust containment through the shared liquid supply system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hand-held suction hose connection is integrated within the existing suction pipe structure that connects the main suction device to the dirt container. The hand-held hose connects to a T-connection in the suction pipe, nesting its function within the overall dust collection system while maintaining separate airflow paths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a long hand-held suction hose is used to reach distant positions, then the coverage area is improved, but the hose becomes difficult to store and manage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidhose storage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hand-held suction hose is designed as a flexible, dynamically configurable component that can be extended to various lengths depending on the work requirements. The hose can be coiled or arranged in different configurations within the vehicle cabin, allowing operators to adapt its length and positioning to specific cleaning tasks while maintaining ease of storage when not in use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If fine-pored filter screens are used to prevent dust escape, then dust containment is improved, but the volume flow through the blower device is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust containmentVSAvoidvolume flow
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A liquid supply system is implemented that introduces liquid (water or air-water mixture) into the suction air flow at multiple points, including specifically for the hand-held suction hose. This pneumatic-hydraulic approach binds dust particles in the air stream, causing them to settle in the dirt container rather than escape through the blower device, thereby maintaining both dust containment and adequate volume flow without requiring restrictive filter screens

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The state of the air flow is changed by introducing liquid, transforming it from a dry air stream that carries dust particles to a humidified air stream where dust particles are bound and settled. This parameter change (adding moisture) allows the system to maintain high volume flow while effectively containing dust, eliminating the need for restrictive filtration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design optimally separates dust in the dirt container, minimizes dust pollution, and facilitates easy operation and storage of the hand-held suction hose, ensuring effective dust containment and reduced liquid consumption.

Implementation Method 1

it is known to introduce water, for example, into this air flow with the aid of a liquid supply device, which binds the fine dust in this air flow so that it can be separated more easily into the dirt container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a fan device for generating an air flow into the dirt container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2777465B1Floor cleaning machine with handheld suction hose
Publication Date: 2019.10.16 HAKO GMBH
  • EP2777465B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2777465B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2777465B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The floor cleaning machine has a suction device (13), which is supported on a chassis (1) and is arranged for extracting debris from a surface-to be cleaned (5), where a dirt container (11) for receiving the return goods is mounted on the chassis. A blower unit (17) is provided for generating an air flow in the dirt container. A suction pipe (15) has a terminal (29), which is provided in the section between the dirt container and the suction device, where a hand-held suction hose (31) is connected to the terminal.