Hard Surface Cleaner Internal Fluid Path for Electrical Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hard surface cleaning devices are prone to water ingress, which can lead to safety hazards such as short circuits and electrical leakage due to their exposure to water during use, especially when used outdoors.

Innovation Solution

A hard surface cleaning device with a design that isolates electrical parts from water through an internal fluid path, featuring a suction assembly, a cleaning flow path, and a shell with a separate internal fluid path that includes a suction unit chamber and a motor chamber, equipped with a one-way valve and fluid discharge ports to safely drain water away from electrical components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the hard surface cleaning device is used outdoors or exposed to water during cleaning, then the cleaning function can be performed on various surfaces, but water can penetrate into the device and contact electrical parts causing short circuits or electrical leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning functionVSAvoidelectrical safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional chambers: a cleaning flow path for water circulation and an internal fluid path for water drainage, with electrical parts isolated in a separate motor chamber. This segmentation allows the cleaning function to operate while electrical components remain protected from water contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A one-way valve is introduced as an intermediary component in the internal fluid path. This valve allows water to enter the drainage path for removal but prevents water from flowing back toward electrical components, acting as a protective barrier that maintains the cleaning function while ensuring electrical safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If water enters the hard surface cleaning device during use, then the device can perform cleaning operations, but water accumulation inside the device creates safety hazards and reduces service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning operationVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful element (water) is extracted from the device through a dedicated internal fluid path that leads to a fluid discharge port. The one-way valve enables water to be continuously removed from the device interior during cleaning operations, preventing water accumulation that would otherwise reduce service life and create safety hazards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The device automatically drains water through the internal fluid path equipped with a one-way valve during cleaning operations. The suction flow generated by the motor automatically drives water through the drainage path and out the discharge port without requiring manual intervention, allowing the device to protect itself from water damage during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Effectively prevents water from reaching electrical parts, ensuring safe operation and extending the device's service life by isolating and draining water through a dedicated internal fluid path.

Implementation Method 1

The suction assembly generates a suction air flow, under the action of which the liquid air mixture can be sucked from the surface to be cleaned

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction flow: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a one-way valve is provided in the internal fluid path to prevent liquid entering the internal fluid path from flowing back into the suction unit chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOne-way valve mechanism: Valve

Implementation Method 3

the internal fluid path communicates the suction unit chamber with the fluid discharge port

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid drainage: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4702902A1Hard surface cleaning device
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 TECHTRONIC CORDLESS GP
  • EP4702902A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4702902A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4702902A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a hard surface cleaning device. The hard surface cleaning device comprises: a suction assembly for creating a suction flow, the suction assembly comprising a suction unit and an electric motor for driving the suction unit; a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the suction assembly for sucking the liquid air mixture from the hard surface; a cleaning flow path between the suction nozzle and the suction assembly; a battery for providing power to the electric motor; and a shell containing the suction assembly and a cleaning flow path therein, and an internal fluid path is provided inside the shell and is independent of the cleaning flow path.