Mobile surface maintenance machine with an onboard pressure washer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surface maintenance machines are limited in the number of maintenance tasks they can perform due to weight and efficiency constraints, making it challenging to incorporate additional functions like pressure washing while maintaining resource efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A mobile surface maintenance machine equipped with a pressure washer that includes a solution tank, electric power source, and motors, where the pressure washer is designed to be efficiently integrated with existing components, allowing for pressurized cleaning fluid delivery without increasing the machine's weight or power consumption, using a spray wand, pressure pump, and motor controller to manage energy and fluid usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pressure washer is added to the surface maintenance machine, then cleaning versatility is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure washer system is merged with the existing surface maintenance machine by integrating the pressure pump, spray wand, and nozzle assembly into the machine's structure. The pressure pump utilizes the existing solution tank and fluid delivery system, combining multiple functions (surface maintenance and pressure washing) into a single integrated platform, thereby improving cleaning versatility without proportionally increasing weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface maintenance machine is designed with universal components that serve multiple functions. The solution tank and fluid delivery system are used for both surface maintenance operations and pressure washing. The pressure pump can draw fluid from the existing tank and deliver it through the spray wand for pressure washing, allowing the machine to perform multiple cleaning tasks with a single integrated system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a pressure washer is added to the surface maintenance machine, then cleaning versatility is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure washer electric motor is integrated into the machine's existing electrical system, sharing the power source and control infrastructure with other machine components. This merging approach allows the pressure washer to operate as part of the overall system, optimizing power distribution and reducing redundant power management components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a motor controller that dynamically manages power delivery to the pressure washer motor based on operational requirements. The controller can modulate motor speed and power consumption to match actual cleaning needs, allowing the system to consume less power during light-duty pressure washing while maintaining full power capability when needed, thereby improving overall energy efficiency.
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 the mobile surface maintenance machine to perform a variety of maintenance tasks efficiently, including pressure washing, by optimizing resource utilization and maintaining the machine's size and power efficiency, allowing for effective cleaning operations without compromising existing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure pump is configured to pressurize the cleaning fluid supplied to the spray wand
Implementation Method 2
The second electric motor is operatively coupled to and configured to drive the pressure pump. The second electric motor is configured to receive electric power from the electric power source
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile surface maintenance machine embodiment includes a mobile body, a solution tank for containing a cleaning fluid, wheels for supporting the mobile body, a maintenance tool(s), an output channel, an electric power source, a first electric motor, and a pressure washer. The pressure washer includes a spray wand, a pressure pump, and a second electric motor. The pressure pump is fluidly coupled to the spray wand and to the solution tank. The pressure pump is configured to pressurize the cleaning fluid supplied to the spray wand. The second electric motor is operatively coupled to and configured to drive the pressure pump. The second electric motor is configured to receive electric power from the electric power source and is commonly powered by the electric power source that provides power to the first electric motor. The second electric motor is separate from the first electric motor.