Multi-orientation cleaning device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices for hard surfaces are less than optimal, as they inefficiently spray cleaning fluids, leading to airborne chemicals reaching the user's breathing space when cleaning at elevated positions.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a power source, pump, and a storage container with a valve assembly that adjusts fluid pathways based on orientation, ensuring cleaning fluid flows only to the nozzle when needed, preventing airborne spray and allowing refilling and easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cleaning fluid is sprayed during operation, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but airborne chemicals reach the user's breathing space causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The spray nozzle is positioned within the cleaning head such that the spray pattern is directed downward onto the surface being cleaned. The cleaning fluid is extracted and sprayed only where needed on the surface, preventing it from becoming airborne and reaching the user's breathing space.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning head acts as an intermediary between the cleaning fluid storage and the surface being cleaned. It controls the delivery and direction of the spray, ensuring that cleaning fluid is applied directly to the surface rather than being dispersed into the air.
2Ease of operation
If cleaning device operates at elevated positions, then accessibility to high surfaces is improved, but cleaning fluid spray escapes to user's breathing space
Solution Approach 1:
The spray nozzle is designed with a specific local quality of downward-directed spray pattern. This localized spray direction ensures that cleaning fluid is deposited only on the surface being cleaned, regardless of the device's position, preventing airborne contamination even when operating at elevated positions.
3Productivity
If valve assembly directs fluid based on orientation, then cleaning fluid delivery efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is designed to automatically respond to changes in device orientation through gravitational forces. The valve components are positioned and dimensioned such that gravity naturally causes the valve to direct fluid flow appropriately based on whether the device is held vertically or horizontally, eliminating the need for complex electronic sensors or actuators.
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 device effectively directs cleaning fluid to the surface while preventing airborne contamination, allowing efficient cleaning in various orientations and ensuring the user's safety by containing the spray between the cleaning head and the surface.
Implementation Method 1
a pump in selective electrical communication with the power source
Implementation Method 2
the first valve being configured to selectively fluidly couple the first portion to the pump based at least in part on the orientation of the device
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device and method of cleaning are provided. The cleaning device includes a power source and a pump in selective electrical communication with the power source. A storage container is provided. A valve assembly is disposed in the storage container and in fluid communication with the pump, the valve assembly being configured to selectively flow cleaning fluid from a first portion and a second portion of the storage container. A cleaning element having a spray nozzle is in fluid communication with the pump.