Hot cleaning system for surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaning systems face issues with scale build-up, inefficiency, and high energy consumption, while also being costly and limited in duration due to steam generation methods.
Innovation Solution
A surface cleaning system with a detachable power cord, a heating plate, and a cleaning pad that maintains a consistent temperature between 85°C and 100°C, utilizing a thermally actuated valve and thermostat to control moisture and heat distribution, preventing scale build-up and optimizing energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If steam generation methods are used for surface cleaning, then cleaning power is improved, but scale build-up occurs and duration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful steam generation process from the cleaning system and replaces it with direct heating of the cleaning cloth. The heating element is positioned to heat only the cloth directly, eliminating the steam generation chamber that causes scale build-up and operational limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a disposable or easily replaceable cleaning cloth that is heated directly. Instead of maintaining a complex steam generation system limited by scale build-up, the system uses inexpensive cloths that can be replaced when soiled, enabling unlimited operational duration.
2Reliability
If steam generation systems are used, then cleaning capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is designed to heat only the cleaning cloth locally where it is needed, rather than generating steam throughout a chamber. This localized heating approach significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining effective cleaning capability at the cloth-surface interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical steam generation system with a direct electrical heating system that heats the cloth. This substitution eliminates the energy-intensive process of boiling water and generating steam, using electricity directly to heat only the necessary component.
3Reliability
If heating elements are used to generate steam, then cleaning power is improved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex steam generation chamber, water reservoir, and associated control mechanisms from the system. By keeping only the essential heating element and cloth components, manufacturing becomes simpler and less costly while maintaining cleaning power.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into simple, separate components: a handle, a heating element, and a cleaning cloth. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing of individual parts and simplifies assembly, reducing overall production costs compared to integrated steam generation systems.
4Reliability
If continuous heating is applied to maintain high temperature, then sanitizing effectiveness is improved, but energy waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element operates periodically rather than continuously, activating when the cloth temperature drops below the sanitizing threshold and deactivating when the target temperature is reached. This periodic operation maintains sanitizing effectiveness while minimizing energy waste from continuous heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensing that provides feedback to the heating control. When the cloth reaches the required sanitizing temperature, the feedback signal stops the heating element, preventing energy waste from overheating while ensuring sanitizing effectiveness is maintained.
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
The system provides effective cleaning and sanitizing with fast drying, unlimited duration, and significant energy savings, while maintaining low production costs by ensuring the cleaning pad is only heated when necessary and avoiding steam-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
a heating plate, and a cleaning pad, wherein the heating plate forms a planar underside of the cleaning head and includes a heating element to heat the planar underside when the power cord energizes the heating element. The cleaning pad may be removably attached against and in thermal communication with the planar underside such that the cleaning pad is heated to a temperature between 85 C and 100 C
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a thermally actuated valve and thermostat to control moisture and heat distribution, preventing scale build-up and optimizing energy use
Implementation Method 3
utilizing a thermally actuated valve and thermostat to control moisture and heat distribution
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for the hot and moist cleaning of floors is disclosed, having an elongate body including a handle at a proximal end thereof and a water reservoir; and a cleaning head flexibly disposed at a distal end of the elongate body and having a heating plate and a cleaning pad, wherein the heating plate forms a planar underside of the cleaning head and includes a heating element to heat the planar underside. The water reservoir is adapted to moisten the cleaning pad when the planar underside is above 85 C. The cleaning pad is removably attached against and in thermal communication with the planar underside such that the cleaning pad is moistened and heated to a temperature between 85 C and 100 C, inclusive. And the heating plate does not substantially heat water from the water reservoir prior to the moistening of the cleaning pad.