Modular Recycling Cleaner for Pressure Washing and Vacuum Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water jet cleaners are not well-suited for operation without a pressurized water supply, and there is a need for a versatile, economically priced cleaning appliance that can function in multiple modes, including recycling, wet and dry vacuum, and pressure washing, with no existing appliance combining these functions in a modular and domestic-friendly format.
Innovation Solution
A modular recycling cleaning system comprising a pressure washing and control module, vacuum motor assembly module, air/liquid separator module, flexible hose system, and control system, allowing configuration as a straight through pressure washer, recycling pressure washer, wet vacuum, dry vacuum, and combined air/liquid blower, with components easily removable and reconfigurable without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If water jet cleaners are operated without a pressurized water supply (from a separate reservoir), then water restrictions are addressed, but the pump is difficult to prime and the separate pump and reservoir are awkward to move
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pump and reservoir into a single integrated unit with the pump mounted directly on the reservoir. This integration allows the pump to be easily primed from the reservoir and makes the entire water supply system portable and easy to move as one unit, resolving the operational difficulties of separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated pump-reservoir unit serves multiple functions: it stores water, pressurizes water for jet cleaning, and can be easily transported. This multi-functional design addresses water restrictions while maintaining ease of operation through a unified portable system.
2Reliability
If consumers purchase separate appliances for wet/dry vacuum and pressure washing, then each function is optimized, but the cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal cleaning system that can perform multiple functions (wet vacuum, dry vacuum, pressure washing, and water recycling) through a single multi-functional device. The modular design allows different attachments to be used with a common power unit, reducing the need for multiple separate appliances while maintaining optimized performance for each function.
3Reliability
If shampooing machines are designed for specialized carpet cleaning, then deep cleaning capability is achieved, but the expense and cumbersome nature limit widespread domestic use
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses detachable cleaning heads and modular components that can be easily attached and removed. This segmentation makes the equipment less cumbersome and more portable for domestic use, while the vacuum-powered cleaning mechanism maintains deep cleaning capability. The modular design also reduces overall cost compared to dedicated shampooing machines.
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 versatile cleaning operations across various modes, including recycling and high-energy combined phase flow for large surfaces, with reduced water usage and cost-effective ownership, addressing the limitations of existing appliances.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum motor assembly module
Implementation Method 2
said air/liquid separator module adapted to separate said contaminated cleaning liquid from air
Implementation Method 3
deliver a cleaning liquid under pressure to a target surface
Data Source
AI summary
A modular recycling cleaning system comprising in combination: a pressure washing and control module, a vacuum motor assembly module, a reservoir module, an air/liquid separator module, a flexible hose system, a control system and a cleaning head, capable of being easily configured so as to function as any one of: a straight through pressure washer with cleaning liquid supplied from an external source; a straight through pressure washer with cleaning liquid supplied internally from an integral water reservoir; a recycling pressure washer with cleaning liquid being supplied and reused from an integral cleaning liquid reservoir replenished with cleaning liquid by means of a vacuum recovery system; a straight through pressure washer with recovery of contaminated cleaning liquid but without reuse; a conventional wet vacuum cleaning system or a conventional dry vacuum cleaning system. The appliance being capable of further configuration as a shampooing machine. Further preferred embodiments of the invention include the possible integration of a vane separator and/or a HEPA filter on the vacuum system exhaust; a coacting switch and control for the pressure pump and the vacuum recovery system such that maximum electric current draw remains below a threshold; IPX5 water resistance of the system; various filtering arrangements for both the air and the liquid drawn into the system and a compact coaxial hose set connecting the cleaner body to the hand piece.