Integrated Squeegee Trap for Floor Scrubber Hose Runoff Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surface maintenance machines experience hose runoff of waste water when the vacuum system is turned off, leading to inefficiencies in waste recovery during wet scrubbing operations.
Innovation Solution
A waste recovery system with a squeegee assembly and integral reservoir that includes a fluid trap portion between the inlet and outlet passages, positioned to retain backflow waste and direct it back into the recovery tank, ensuring complete collection of waste even when the vacuum system is disengaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a vacuum system is used to remove waste water from the floor, then waste recovery efficiency is improved, but hose runoff occurs when the vacuum system is turned off
Solution Approach 1:
A U-shaped trap is introduced as an intermediary component in the fluid suction path between the floor and the vacuum system. The trap accumulates waste water and creates a liquid seal that prevents hose runoff when the vacuum system is turned off, while still allowing efficient waste recovery during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The U-shaped trap is pre-filled with liquid to create a seal before the vacuum system operates. This preliminary liquid accumulation prevents backflow and hose runoff when the vacuum system is shut down, eliminating the need for additional preventive measures
2Productivity
If the vacuum system operates continuously, then complete waste collection is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped trap acts as a mediator that maintains liquid seal to prevent hose runoff, allowing the vacuum system to be turned off completely when not in use, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining waste collection effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The U-shaped trap self-regulates the fluid flow by maintaining a liquid seal that automatically prevents backflow, eliminating the need for continuous vacuum operation and reducing energy consumption while ensuring complete waste collection
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 effectively prevents hose runoff and ensures complete collection of residual waste by positioning the reservoir as the lowest point, allowing for self-cleaning and efficient waste management during machine operation and shutdown.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum system adapted to start and stop suctioning waste from a floor surface... the vacuum system draws waste from the floor surface through the fluid suction path by applying a suction force
Implementation Method 2
a fluid trap portion positioned between the inlet and outlet passages, the fluid trap portion adapted to retain backflow waste in the fluid suction path
Implementation Method 3
the reservoir is positioned at a clearance distance from the floor surface in a direction normal to the floor surface such that the reservoir forms the lowest portion of the waste recovery system
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include a waste recovery system for a floor surface maintenance machine. The waste recovery system comprises a squeegee assembly having a squeegee frame, a squeegee retainer extending below the squeegee frame and a reservoir integrally defined in the squeegee retainer. The reservoir can have an inlet passage proximal to the floor surface, an outlet passage fluidly coupled to the fluid suction path and leading to the waste recovery tank, and a fluid trap portion positioned between the inlet and outlet passages. The fluid trap portion can retain backflow waste in the fluid suction path. The reservoir is positioned at a clearance distance from the floor surface in a direction normal to the floor surface such that the reservoir forms the lowest portion of the waste recovery system in the direction normal to the floor surface.