Liquid extraction cleaning device and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carpet and upholstery extraction cleaners often require sequential spraying, agitation, and vacuuming, which can be inefficient and cumbersome, especially for spot cleaning applications where localized stains or spills need immediate attention.
Innovation Solution
A portable spot cleaner device with a hand tool connected via a flexible hose to a main unit, equipped with a vacuum pump, liquid pump, agitator, and electrical motor, allowing for simultaneous spraying, agitation, and vacuuming of cleaning solutions, with independent control switches for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional floor cleaners perform spraying, agitation, and vacuuming sequentially on different portions of carpet, then the device can complete all cleaning functions, but the cleaning process becomes inefficient and cumbersome for spot cleaning applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines spraying, agitation, and vacuuming functions into a single hand tool that performs all three operations simultaneously on the same spot. The hand tool integrates a spray nozzle for applying cleaning solution, a powered agitator for working the solution into the carpet, and a vacuum inlet for immediate extraction of soiled liquid, eliminating the need to move between different cleaning zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is divided into a portable hand tool for localized spot cleaning and a separate main unit containing the vacuum pump and liquid pump. This segmentation allows the hand tool to be lightweight and maneuverable for precise spot treatment, while the main unit provides the necessary pumping power and fluid storage.
2Ease of operation
If spot cleaners are merely handheld devices without wheels, then the device becomes portable and easy to maneuver, but it lacks the stability and support needed for extended cleaning operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a lightweight hand tool for portable operation and a separate main unit that contains the heavy vacuum pump, liquid pump, and fluid storage tanks. The hand tool connects to the main unit via a flexible hose, allowing the user to benefit from both portability and the stability provided by the larger main unit.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hand tool is connected to the main unit via a flexible hose, then the hand tool becomes movable and flexible for accessing different areas, but the hose may become tangled or restricted during movement
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible hose connects the hand tool to the main unit, allowing the hand tool to be positioned and moved freely across different areas. The flexibility of the hose enables adaptability to various cleaning locations while maintaining the necessary fluid and electrical connections.
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 efficient and flexible cleaning of carpet and upholstery by allowing simultaneous spraying, agitation, and extraction of soiled liquid in a single motion, improving cleaning efficiency and ease of use for both floor and spot cleaning tasks.
Implementation Method 1
The vacuum pump is capable of drawing fluid through the hose passageway
Implementation Method 2
The liquid pump is capable of forcing liquid out of the spray nozzle
Implementation Method 3
The electric motor is operatively connected to the agitator in a manner such that operation of the electric motor causes the agitator to move relative to the grip portion
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid extraction cleaning device comprises a main unit, a liquid pump, a flexible hose, and a hand tool. The main unit comprises a vacuum pump. The hand tool comprises a vacuum inlet port, an agitator, a spray nozzle, and a grip portion. The vacuum inlet port of the hand tool is operatively connected to the vacuum pump via the hose passageway in a manner such that the vacuum pump is capable of drawing fluid through the vacuum inlet port and into the hose passageway. The spray nozzle is operatively connected to the liquid pump in a manner such that the liquid pump is capable of forcing liquid out of the spray nozzle.