Surface cleaning apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-surface vacuum cleaners face challenges in effectively cleaning both hard and soft surfaces with liquid and dry methods, as they often struggle to efficiently dispense and recover cleaning fluid, leaving residues and streaks on the floor.
Innovation Solution
A surface cleaning apparatus with integrated features such as a wiper, rolling squeegee, and fluid dispenser, combined with a hybrid brushroll and adjustable air flow path, to optimize cleaning performance on various surfaces and modes, including wet and dry vacuum cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a fluid delivery system with spray bars is used to dispense cleaning fluid, then cleaning coverage is improved, but fluid distribution uniformity deteriorates causing streaks and residues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous distribution plate with numerous small pores instead of traditional spray bars. This porous structure distributes cleaning fluid uniformly across the entire brushroll surface through capillary action and pressure differential, eliminating the streaks and residues caused by uneven spray patterns while maintaining comprehensive cleaning coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the fluid distribution function from the spray bar system and relocates it to a dedicated porous distribution plate positioned within the brush chamber. This separation allows independent optimization of fluid distribution mechanics away from the spray mechanism, improving uniformity without compromising coverage area.
2Productivity
If a brushroll is used for agitation, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but air leakage increases reducing suction efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wiper blade as an intermediary component between the brushroll and the brush chamber wall. This wiper blade contacts the outer surface of the rotating brushroll, sealing the gap and preventing air leakage while allowing the brushroll to continue its agitation function uninterrupted, thus maintaining cleaning effectiveness without energy loss.
3Loss of energy
If the brushroll is sealed tightly in the brush chamber, then air leakage is reduced, but brushroll agitation effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade serves as a mediator that seals the brushroll to the chamber wall without restricting brushroll rotation or bristle movement. It maintains sufficient clearance to allow full agitation effectiveness while preventing air leakage, resolving the contradiction between sealing and operational freedom.
4Ease of repair
If a removable nozzle cover design is used, then ease of maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the nozzle assembly into a removable nozzle cover and a stationary brush chamber. The nozzle cover can be detached independently to access and maintain the brushroll, porous distribution plate, and wiper blade, while the overall device structure remains integrated. This modular segmentation improves maintainability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
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 apparatus effectively removes debris and excess liquid, leaving a clean and streak-free finish on both hard and soft surfaces, enhancing cleaning efficiency and effectiveness across different surface types.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid dispenser comprising a porous spray bar configured to deliver cleaning fluid onto a brushroll
Implementation Method 2
porous spray bar configured to deliver cleaning fluid onto a brushroll
Implementation Method 3
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
Implementation Method 4
source of suction in fluid communication with the working air conduit to draw the cleaning fluid
Implementation Method 5
An agitator can be provided for agitating the cleaning fluid on the surface
Implementation Method 6
a wiper integrated with a removable brushroll and positioned to interfere with the brushroll
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus includes a housing including 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. A brushroll is provided on the base, along with various wipers, squeegees, and/or fluid dispensers.