Device for the hot cleaning of various types of surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor cleaning devices with steam generators suffer from ineffective cleaning and sanitization due to steam temperature below 100°C, rapid scale deposits, high power consumption, and difficulty in cleaning high surfaces due to heavy and cumbersome designs.
Innovation Solution
A hot cleaning device with a steam generator, heating metal plate, and solenoid valves maintains steam temperature at 130°C, ensuring effective cleaning and sanitization, and allows for adjustable steam delivery to various surfaces using an articulated joint and interchangeable accessories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If steam is generated by instantaneous generators in known devices, then the device can clean floors, but the steam temperature is always below 100°C causing ineffective cleaning and sanitization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the steam from below 100°C to above 100°C (specifically 130°C as mentioned in the summary) by modifying the steam generation system to use a boiler with heating element that can heat water to higher temperatures, thereby achieving effective cleaning and sanitization
2Temperature
If steam is generated in large quantities to maintain suitable working temperature, then the steam temperature is maintained, but power consumption increases and component wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous steam generation through a boiler system that maintains steady temperature and pressure, ensuring continuous supply of hot steam to the cleaning cloth without interruption, thereby maintaining effective cleaning temperature while optimizing energy usage through continuous operation rather than intermittent high-power bursts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the temperature parameter to a specific range (above 100°C, specifically 130°C) that is sufficient for effective cleaning and sanitization without requiring excessive energy input, balancing temperature effectiveness with power consumption efficiency
3Productivity
If the unit containing the steam generating boiler is located on a trolley, then the device can clean floors, but it is heavy and cannot be lifted making it uncomfortable to clean high surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cleaning device into separable components: a steam generation unit and a cleaning head with cloth, connected by a flexible hose. This segmentation allows the lightweight cleaning head to be used for high surfaces while the heavier boiler unit remains on the floor, resolving the portability contradiction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the steam delivery system using a flexible hose that can extend upward, enabling the cleaning head to reach high surfaces while the boiler remains on the floor level, thus solving the limitation of floor-bound operation
4Ease of operation
If steam is delivered through hoses and stiff extensions to reach the brush, then the device can clean floors, but the steam temperature diminishes making it ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous steam flow through the flexible hose from the boiler to the cleaning cloth, ensuring that steam reaches the cleaning surface without interruption and retains sufficient temperature for effective cleaning, unlike discontinuous delivery through stiff extensions
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 device provides effective cleaning and sanitization with reduced steam consumption, extended boiler autonomy, and ease of use on different surfaces, including high areas, by maintaining steam temperature and reducing moisture on the cleaning cloth.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element (14)... automatically starts and stops the heating element (14)
Implementation Method 2
a heating metal plate (13)... connected at the bottom to a heated lower base (19), made of metal like aluminium for example, to which the cleaning cloth is applied
Implementation Method 3
a boiler to produce steam (36)... the boiler heats the water inside the tank (12) until it reaches the set temperature
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
Device for hot cleaning (32) of various types of surfaces such as for examples floors, tiled wall,large windows, mirrors, large household appliances, etc. and such device (32) basically consists of a core body (1), including a steam generator and dispenser (35), suitable to generate steam under pressure and at high temperature, a metal heating plate (13) with an heating element (14), a metal heated lower base (19) to support and heat a cleaning cloth, a first valve (17), such as for example a solenoid valve, a second valve (18), such as for example a solenoid valve, a series of nozzles (10), a series of steam dispensers (8), and provided at the top with an articulated joint(4), a long hollow stiff thermally insulated element (2), such as a cylindrical tube, an ergonomic control and command system hollow along the length (3) and a hose (7).