Liquid extraction apparatus and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid extraction devices are often large, bulky, and intimidating, making them difficult for consumers to operate and handle, with limited flexibility and maneuverability.
Innovation Solution
A modular liquid extraction cleaning system with a separable design that includes a body, cleaning fluid tank, recovery tank, handle, and accessory attachments, allowing for easier transport and operation by splitting into lighter portions, and accommodating a larger vacuum motor for enhanced cleaning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional liquid extraction devices are designed with large vacuum motors for enhanced cleaning performance, then suction power is improved, but the device becomes large, bulky, and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid extraction device is divided into separate modules: a power unit containing the vacuum motor and a separate liquid extraction assembly. This segmentation allows the heavy power unit to be stationary while the extraction assembly remains portable and easy to handle, resolving the contradiction between suction power and ease of handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single integrated portable unit to a distributed architecture where the power unit remains stationary (solving the weight issue) while the extraction assembly is moved to where cleaning is needed. This dimensional change separates the function requiring power from the function requiring portability.
2Device complexity
If conventional liquid extraction devices are designed as integrated units, then structural simplicity is maintained, but flexibility and maneuverability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a stationary power unit and a mobile liquid extraction assembly that can be separated and reconnected. This modular structure provides flexibility to adapt to different cleaning scenarios while maintaining relative structural simplicity within each module.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces dynamic configurability where the liquid extraction assembly can be detached from and reattached to the power unit based on operational needs. This dynamic arrangement enhances versatility without significantly complicating the overall system architecture.
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 modular design improves user confidence and ease of use by reducing weight and complexity, enabling better maneuverability and increased suction power without compromising portability, thus addressing the limitations of conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum motor housed within the body is configured to cause air to be drawn into an inlet of the vacuum motor
Implementation Method 2
A fluid pump is configured to cause fluid contained in a cleaning fluid tank to be output to a fluid output
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a body, a first tank, a second tank, a vacuum motor, a fluid pump, and a controller. The body comprises a handle and an accessory connection receptacle comprising a fluid output and an electrical contact. The first tank comprises a first vessel configured to accommodate a fluid. The second tank comprises a second vessel separated from the first vessel. The controller is configured to activate the fluid pump to cause fluid contained in the first tank to be supplied to the fluid output, and to activate the vacuum motor to draw one or more of air, debris, a liquid or a portion of the fluid into the second tank. The accessory connection receptacle is configured to accommodate a correspondingly shaped accessory connector configured to mate with the accessory connection receptacle and be communicatively coupled with the fluid output and with the electrical contact.