Method for determining the fill level in a fresh water zone of a receiving tank of a floor cleaning machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in determining the filling quantity of the fresh water compartment in floor cleaning machines with flexible partition walls is that the volume is not fixed, making it difficult to accurately assess the fill levels in both the fresh and dirty water areas, as the position of the partition wall is unknown.
Innovation Solution
A method involving detecting the volume flow out of the fresh water area at specific times and determining the current filling quantity by subtracting the discharged volume from a previously determined level, while accounting for pressure equalization and activation states of the conveying device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible partition wall is used to divide the receiving tank into fresh water and dirty water areas, then the maneuverability and adaptability of the floor cleaning machine are improved, but the ability to accurately determine the fill level in the fresh water area deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A volume flow detecting device is introduced as an intermediary element to measure the volume flow of fresh water leaving the fresh water area. This mediator enables indirect determination of the fill quantity by measuring the flow rate and integrating it over time, thus solving the measurement problem without requiring direct level sensing in the flexible compartment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical level measurement (which would be inaccurate with flexible walls) with a flow-based measurement system. By detecting volume flow and calculating cumulative discharge, the system substitutes direct position measurement with an integrated flow measurement approach that remains accurate despite wall flexibility
2Weight of moving object
If the volume of the fresh water compartment is made variable to reduce machine size, then the weight and dimensions of the floor cleaning machine are reduced, but the reliability of fill level determination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously receives feedback from the volume flow detecting device about the rate of fresh water discharge. By integrating this feedback signal over time and comparing it with the initial fill quantity, the system maintains reliable determination of current fill status despite the variable and changing compartment volume
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurement of the initial fill quantity of fresh water before cleaning operations begin. This preliminary action establishes a reference value that, when combined with subsequent flow measurements, enables accurate determination of remaining fill quantity throughout operation
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 reliable determination of the fresh water tank's filling quantity, ensuring accurate assessment of both fresh and dirty water levels, even during interruptions or changes in operation.
Implementation Method 1
The partition wall is designed in such a way that pressure equalization always occurs between the fresh water zone and the dirty water zone
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for determining the fill quantity of a fresh water section (17) in a receiving tank (13) of a floor cleaning machine (1) is presented and described, wherein the floor cleaning machine (1) comprises the fresh water section (17), a wastewater section (19), a chassis (3) for moving the floor cleaning machine (1) over a floor surface (11) to be cleaned, a cleaning device (7) for cleaning the floor surface (11), a receiving device (25) for receiving wastewater from the floor surface (11), and a conveying device (33) configured to convey wastewater from the receiving device (25) to the wastewater section (19) in an activated state, wherein the fresh water section (17) and the wastewater section (19) are formed in a receiving tank (13) and are separated from each other by a flexible partition wall configured as follows:that the fresh water area (17) and the wastewater area (19) cannot extend, partially or completely, over the cross-section of the receiving tank (13), and wherein the method comprises the following steps: detecting the volume flow from the fresh water area (17) at at least one time point between a first time point and a second time point, wherein the first time point is before the second time point, and determining the current fill quantity in the fresh water area (17) from a previously determined fill quantity and the detected volume flow.