Hard Floor Nozzle Vacuum-Triggered Liquid Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor nozzles for hard floors lack effective liquid dosing control, making it cumbersome to deliver the right amount of cleaning liquid, especially when the device is not in operation.
Innovation Solution
A floor nozzle with a liquid supply device and a control mechanism that allows and prevents the delivery of liquid based on the nozzle's operating state, using a valve that opens or closes depending on negative pressure, ensuring efficient liquid delivery during operation and preventing it during non-operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a container for cleaning liquid is arranged on the suction pipe, then liquid can be supplied to the cleaning head, but working becomes cumbersome and it is not possible to dose the right amount of liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supply device is extracted from the vacuum cleaner body and integrated into the floor nozzle as a separate functional unit. This allows the liquid dosing mechanism to be independently optimized and simplified, improving ease of operation while reducing overall system complexity by separating concerns between the vacuum cleaner and the cleaning head
Solution Approach 2:
The floor nozzle automatically doses liquid based on its own operating state (suction mode detection) without requiring external control from the vacuum cleaner operator. The nozzle self-regulates liquid delivery by detecting negative pressure and activating the pump only when needed, eliminating manual dosing complexity
2Productivity
If liquid is continuously delivered to the wiping means, then cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but liquid is wasted when the floor nozzle is not in operation
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supply system transitions from a static continuous delivery mode to a dynamic on-demand mode. The pump and valve are controlled by real-time detection of the floor nozzle's operating state, allowing liquid delivery to be dynamically adjusted - fully active during suction operation, completely closed during non-operation - thereby maintaining cleaning effectiveness while eliminating waste
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses negative pressure detection as feedback to control liquid delivery. When the floor nozzle is in suction mode, negative pressure triggers the pump to deliver liquid; when not in use, absence of negative pressure stops delivery. This feedback loop ensures liquid is delivered only when cleaning is actually occurring, preventing waste while maintaining effectiveness
3Reliability
If a valve is arranged in the supply line to control liquid delivery, then liquid flow can be controlled, but the valve must be positioned before the pump to ensure effective closing
Solution Approach 1:
A control membrane is introduced as an intermediary between the negative pressure detection and the valve actuation. The membrane translates negative pressure into mechanical movement that opens the valve, and spring force closes it when negative pressure is absent. This intermediary mechanism ensures reliable valve closing by using the membrane's elastic properties rather than directly controlling a complex actuator
Solution Approach 2:
The complex electro-mechanical valve control system is replaced with a simple pneumatic-mechanical system. Negative pressure directly acts on the control membrane, which mechanically opens the valve through a tappet connection. When negative pressure is released, a spring automatically closes the valve. This substitution simplifies the supply line arrangement while ensuring reliable valve closing 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
Enables precise control over liquid delivery, allowing maximum liquid flow during operation and preventing flow when not in use, enhancing cleaning efficiency and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
the control means is designed to permit and prevent the delivery of liquid depending on a negative pressure present during the suction work
Implementation Method 2
Due to its elastic properties, the control means membrane can automatically return to the closed position, so that in the event of non-operation, the supply line is always closed
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a hard floor nozzle which is suitably designed for vacuum-cleaning and wiping. The aim of the invention is to provide an improved system wherein the liquid is metered depending on the operation of the floor nozzle. For this purpose, the floor nozzle has a liquid supply device (50) for a wiper element (5) and a control device (135) which is configured to allow or prevent the supply of liquid to the wiper element (5).