Portable extractor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable extraction cleaners face challenges in efficiently managing the hose attachment and fluid coupling, leading to potential kinking and tension issues with the flexible hose, which can affect the cleaning performance and user convenience.

Innovation Solution

A hose attachment assembly with a suction conduit and fluid coupling that is removably coupled to the base, allowing the flexible hose to be nested and minimizing tension, includes a tubular member with elbow-shaped sections for secure fluid communication between the recovery tank and the suction source, and a quick disconnect fluid coupling for easy detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the hose is permanently attached to the base, then fluid communication is maintained, but the hose experiences kinking and tension issues affecting cleaning performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid communicationVSAvoidcleaning performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hose attachment assembly is divided into separable components: the hose, the suction conduit, and the fluid coupling. This segmentation allows the hose to be detached from the base when not in use, eliminating tension and kinking issues while maintaining fluid communication during operation through the reusable fluid coupling connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the hose attachment assembly is made removable, then hose tension and kinking are reduced, but fluid communication may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehose managementVSAvoidfluid communication
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid coupling acts as an intermediary component that maintains fluid communication between the hose and the base when the hose attachment assembly is removed. This intermediary connection ensures that fluid transfer continues uninterrupted during cleaning operations while allowing the hose to be freely positioned and stored.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the suction conduit is permanently fixed to the base, then structural stability is maintained, but the hose attachment assembly cannot be easily removed for storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidstorage convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The suction conduit is designed as a separate, removable component that can be detached from the base. This segmentation provides structural stability during use through secure attachment mechanisms while enabling easy removal and storage of the entire hose attachment assembly when not in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3902455B1Portable extractor
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 TECHTRONIC FLOOR CARE TECH LTD
  • EP3902455B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3902455B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3902455B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An extraction cleaner includes a supply tank, a recovery tank, a pump, a suction source, a base configured to support the suction source and the pump, an external hose, and a hose attachment assembly. The hose attachment assembly has a suction conduit extending from a suction inlet connected to the proximal end of the hose to a suction outlet in fluid communication with the recovery tank. The suction conduit is removable from the base with the hose. The hose attachment assembly also has a fluid coupling which is removable with the suction conduit. The fluid coupling extends from a coupling inlet in fluid communication with the pump to a coupling outlet coupled to a supply tube having one or more portions carried within the suction conduit. The proximal end of the hose is at least partially nested adjacent the base when the suction conduit is coupled to the base.