Portable Surface Cleaner With Integrated Steam and Liquid Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface cleaning devices, such as extractors and steam cleaners, lack the capability to efficiently deliver steam for effective spot and stain cleaning on small areas like carpets and upholstery, and often require cumbersome setups or lack the ability to recover cleaning fluids effectively.
Innovation Solution
A portable surface cleaning apparatus with steam delivery, featuring a hand-carried body equipped with a supply tank, liquid and steam pumps, a heater, and a flexible hose, including pressure relief devices, temperature control, and a dual-trigger system for simultaneous liquid and steam dispensing, along with a recovery system for efficient fluid extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional extractors and steam cleaners are used for spot and stain cleaning on small areas, then cleaning capability is limited, but the equipment becomes cumbersome and less portable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines liquid delivery and steam delivery systems into a single handheld cleaning tool, integrating both functions within one portable unit. This allows the device to deliver both liquid cleaning solution and steam through the same nozzle, providing versatile cleaning capability while maintaining portability for small area spot and stain cleaning
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning tool is designed with multi-functionality, capable of delivering liquid, steam, or both simultaneously through a single device. The system includes a liquid supply tank, steam generator with heater, and common delivery nozzle, enabling the tool to adapt to different cleaning needs (liquid-only, steam-only, or combined) while remaining a single portable unit
2Productivity
If steam is delivered continuously for effective cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but energy consumption and pressure control become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The steam delivery system operates periodically rather than continuously, with the steam pump activated only when needed based on cleaning requirements. The system includes controls that regulate steam delivery timing and duration, allowing the heater and pump to cycle on and off, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective cleaning performance when steam is actually delivered
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates pressure sensors and temperature controls that provide feedback to regulate steam delivery. The pressure relief valve and temperature-controlled pump activation ensure steam is delivered at appropriate pressures and temperatures, optimizing cleaning effectiveness while preventing excessive energy consumption through controlled operation
3Reliability
If pressure relief devices are added to control steam pressure, then safety improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief valve is designed as a passive safety device that automatically opens when steam pressure exceeds the predetermined set pressure, without requiring external control or complex sensing systems. This self-regulating mechanism provides reliable pressure control and safety relief while adding minimal complexity to the overall system, as it operates autonomously based on pressure differential
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 better cleaning experiences by selectively dispensing steam where needed, improving spot and stain removal while maintaining portability and efficient fluid recovery, thus enhancing cleaning efficiency on small areas.
Implementation Method 1
a heater
Implementation Method 2
a steam supply pump
Implementation Method 3
a liquid supply pump
Implementation Method 4
a source of suction in fluid communication with the conduit to draw the cleaning fluid from the surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a surface cleaning apparatus (10) that includes steam delivery. The apparatus includes a hand-carried body adapted to be hand carried by a user, the hand-carried body having a main housing (12), a supply tank (18), and a heater (26). A flexible hose (32) is mounted to the hand-carried body and a hand-held cleaning tool (22) mounted to an end of the hose. The tool has a liquid distributor to deliver liquid cleaning fluid and a steam distributor to deliver steam. Various features for controlling the operation of electrical component of the extraction cleaner are disclosed.