Handheld Extractor Self-Cleaning Chamber for Hose Clog Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extractor cleaning machines lack an efficient self-cleaning mechanism, leading to potential clogging and reduced performance over time.
Innovation Solution
The extractor includes a housing with a suction source, a suction nozzle, and a recovery tank, along with a cleaning chamber that can receive the suction nozzle and selectively receive cleaning fluid, enabling the machine to draw and store fluids and clean its components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the extractor cleaning machine operates without a self-cleaning mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential clogging and reduced performance over time
Solution Approach 1:
The suction nozzle is designed to be self-cleaning by utilizing the existing suction function of the extractor. When the suction nozzle is inserted into the cleaning chamber, the suction source draws cleaning fluid through the nozzle itself, allowing it to clean its own internal passages and prevent clogging without requiring separate cleaning mechanisms or manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning chamber serves multiple functions: it acts as a storage space for cleaning fluid, a cleaning chamber for the suction nozzle, and a pathway for fluid flow. The suction source also serves dual purposes by both extracting dirt from surfaces and providing the suction force needed to circulate cleaning fluid through the nozzle during self-cleaning operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the suction nozzle is made stationary, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability deteriorates as the nozzle cannot be cleaned or maintained efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The suction nozzle is designed with movable capability, allowing it to be inserted into and removed from the cleaning chamber as needed. This dynamic positioning enables the nozzle to access the cleaning fluid pathway and undergo self-cleaning operation when required, while remaining in its working position during normal extraction operations.
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 allows for effective cleaning and maintenance of the extractor, preventing clogs and ensuring continuous performance by allowing the machine to draw and store fluids and clean its components.
Implementation Method 1
The suction fan generates a vacuum force that draws in fluid, dirt, or waste from the surface being cleaned
Implementation Method 2
The suction source is in communication with the recovery tank for drawing fluid through the suction nozzle and storing the drawn fluid in the recovery tank
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld extractor that includes a housing, a supply tank adjacent a first side of the housing, and a recovery tank adjacent a second side of the housing. A cleaning chamber is in the third side of the housing. A fluid flow path is between the supply tank and the cleaning chamber. The cleaning chamber receives a suction nozzle and a suction source provides suction through a hose and the second fluid flow path to extract the cleaning fluid from the supply tank, along the fluid flow path into the cleaning chamber, through the hose and into the recovery tank to flush the cleaning fluid through the hose to clean the hose when the suction nozzle is received in the cleaning chamber.