Handheld extraction cleaner with liquid movement mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld extraction cleaners face challenges in inhibiting liquid movement during operation, particularly when tilted or inverted, leading to potential leakage into the suction fan and system inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a separator element, such as a funnel or check valve, at the tank inlet of the recovery tank, which blocks liquid flow outside the operating zone and allows flow only within the designated range, combined with an orientation sensor to control the separator element, ensuring liquid is directed away from the suction fan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cleaner is tilted or inverted outside operating zone, then liquid may flow out of recovery tank and reach suction fan, but system reliability deteriorates due to potential leakage and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The separator element (funnel or check valve) is pre-configured to automatically oppose liquid flow in unintended directions before leakage can occur. When the cleaner is tilted or inverted, gravity causes liquid to contact the separator element, which immediately blocks the flow path and prevents liquid from reaching the suction fan, thus preliminarily counteracting the harmful effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator element acts as an intermediary component positioned between the recovery tank and the suction fan. This mediator structure (funnel extending into tank or check valve at outlet) intercepts liquid flow and redirects or blocks it, preventing direct contact between liquid and the suction fan while allowing normal operation when properly oriented.
2Reliability
If separator element is added to control liquid flow, then liquid movement is inhibited, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separator element is designed to function automatically based on the cleaner's orientation without requiring external control systems. The check valve uses the pressure differential created by tilting to close automatically, or the funnel uses gravity to redirect liquid, allowing the device to self-regulate liquid flow based on its own operational state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic liquid flow control systems with simple mechanical or gravitational mechanisms. The check valve uses mechanical pressure differential activation, and the funnel uses gravitational force to redirect liquid, eliminating the need for sensors, motors, or electronic control while achieving reliable liquid flow management.
3Productivity
If the cleaner operates outside operating zone range, then liquid may reach fan entrance, but cleaning effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The separator element is positioned and configured to preemptively block liquid flow paths before liquid can reach the fan entrance. The check valve closes or the funnel redirects liquid when the cleaner is tilted beyond the operating zone, preliminarily preventing the harmful effect of liquid contact with the fan that would reduce cleaning effectiveness.
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
Prevents liquid from reaching the suction fan, maintaining system efficiency and preventing leakage, even when the cleaner is tilted or inverted, thereby enhancing operational reliability and performance.
Implementation Method 1
A check valve within the funnel, such that the check valve is configured to close and inhibit flow from the recovery tank when the handheld extraction cleaner is outside of an operating zone range
Implementation Method 2
A suction fan is configured to provide suction to an opposite end of the inlet path from the brush element, such that the inlet path brings liquid and air into the handheld extraction cleaner
Data Source
AI summary
An extraction cleaner includes a suction nozzle having an inlet path and suction fan configured to provide suction. The inlet path brings liquid and air into the extraction cleaner. Suction fan has a fan entrance, a recovery tank is spaced from the fan entrance. A separator element configured to allow liquid to flow into the recovery tank, inhibit the flow of liquid out of the recovery tank, and inhibit liquid from reaching the fan entrance, or all three. The separator element may be a butterfly valve configured to selectively close the fan entrance. The separator element may be a funnel extending into the recovery tank to block liquid from leaving the recovery tank during inversion. The separator element may be a fan separator adjacent the suction fan, which directs liquid outward, away from the fan separator, within the extraction cleaner, such that liquid is moved away from the suction fan.