Multi-Surface Vacuum Cleaner with Automated Self-Cleaning Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-surface vacuum cleaners lack an efficient and automated self-cleaning mode for maintaining the cleanliness of the device and its components, particularly the brushroll and fluid recovery pathway, which can lead to reduced performance and user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A surface cleaning apparatus with a rechargeable battery and controller that initiates an unattended automatic cleanout mode, where the pump, brushroll motor, and vacuum motor are energized to spray cleaning liquid onto the brushroll, rotate it, and extract fluid and debris, flushing the suction nozzle and recovery pathway, and a storage tray for docking and self-cleaning, which disables the battery charging circuit during this mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an automated self-cleaning mode is added to maintain brushroll and fluid recovery pathway cleanliness, then device performance and user experience are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service cleaning by automatically activating the pump, brushroll motor, and vacuum motor through a controller when a self-cleaning mode is selected. The pump delivers cleaning fluid to the brushroll, the brushroll motor rotates the brushroll to agitate and clean itself, and the vacuum motor extracts fluid and debris through the recovery pathway, all without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cleaning actions by automatically initiating the cleanout sequence before the user would manually clean the device. The controller pre-coordinates the operation of multiple components (pump, brushroll motor, vacuum motor) to clean the brushroll and flush the recovery pathway in advance, preventing buildup of debris and maintaining optimal performance.
2Reliability
If the battery charging circuit is disabled during self-cleaning operations, then safety is improved by preventing overcharging, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback control by monitoring the operational state through the controller. When the self-cleaning mode is activated, the controller detects this state and automatically disables the battery charging circuit to prevent overcharging. The system provides feedback to the user through indicators showing when the device is in self-cleaning mode and when cleaning is complete and charging can resume.
3Productivity
If multiple motors and pump are energized simultaneously for self-cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous useful action during self-cleaning by keeping the pump, brushroll motor, and vacuum motor energized simultaneously throughout the cleanout cycle. The pump continuously delivers cleaning fluid, the brushroll continuously rotates to agitate and clean surfaces, and the vacuum motor continuously extracts fluid and debris, ensuring thorough cleaning without interruption.
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 automated self-cleaning of the device, improving its performance and user experience by maintaining cleanliness and reducing maintenance time, while ensuring the battery charging circuit is disabled during self-cleaning operations to prevent overcharging.
Implementation Method 1
the pump, the brushroll motor, and the vacuum motor are energized, a battery charging circuit for controlling the recharging of the rechargeable battery
Implementation Method 2
a source of suction in fluid communication with the working air conduit to draw the cleaning fluid from the surface to be cleaned and through the nozzle and the working air conduit to the recovery tank
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus includes an upright body and a base adapted for movement across a surface to be cleaned, a fluid delivery system, and a recovery system. The surface cleaning apparatus can be configured to clean multiple surfaces, including hard and soft surfaces, and for different cleaning modes, including wet cleaning, dry vacuum cleaning, and self-cleaning. Methods for self-cleaning a surface cleaning apparatus are also provided.