Floor Cleaning Machine Mode Switching for Sanitization Effectiveness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Floor cleaning machines lack an efficient mechanism to switch between wash and sanitize modes effectively, often leaving insufficient cleaning solution on the surface to achieve thorough sanitization.
Innovation Solution
The floor cleaning machine is designed with a modular supply tank assembly that allows for easy switching between wash and sanitize modes by varying the cleaning solution delivery pressure, volume, and recovery rate, ensuring adequate sanitizer remains on the surface to kill microorganisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the machine draws cleaning fluid and dirt from the surface into a recovery tank, then the surface is cleaned, but insufficient cleaning solution remains on the surface to achieve thorough sanitization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a sanitize mode that dynamically adjusts the recovery rate of the floor cleaning machine. By reducing the recovery rate during sanitize mode, the system allows more cleaning solution to remain on the surface, ensuring effective sanitization while still maintaining cleaning functionality. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and solution retention.
2Reliability
If the machine sprays cleaning fluid onto the surface, then the surface is wetted for cleaning, but the cleaning solution is quickly drawn away reducing sanitization capability
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters between wash mode and sanitize mode. During sanitize mode, the recovery rate is reduced and cleaning solution delivery is optimized to extend the contact time on the surface, allowing the sanitizing agents adequate time to kill microorganisms before being drawn away.
3Productivity
If the machine operates in wash mode with high recovery rate, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but sanitization is compromised due to insufficient solution retention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a mode selection mechanism that dynamically changes the recovery rate based on the operational mode. In wash mode, the recovery rate is high for efficient cleaning. When switched to sanitize mode, the recovery rate is automatically reduced to allow sufficient cleaning solution to remain on the surface, ensuring effective sanitization while maintaining the ability to switch between high-productivity and high-reliability operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A floor cleaning machine for cleaning a surface. The cleaning machine includes a body, an actuator supported by the body, a distribution nozzle supported by the body, and a supply tank assembly coupled to the body in fluid communication with the distribution nozzle. The supply tank includes a first tank that stores a first cleaning solution, a second tank that stores a second cleaning solution that is different from the first cleaning solution, and a third tank that stores water. The floor cleaning machine is operable in a first mode to wash the surface, in a second mode to sanitize the surface, and a third mode to rinse the surface. The distribution nozzle delivers the first cleaning solution onto the surface when the floor cleaning machine is in the first mode and delivers the second cleaning solution onto the surface when the floor cleaning machine is in the second mode.