Cleaning Head Pouch Spray Layout for Spill-Safe Hard Surface Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning devices for hard surfaces are inefficient due to manual refilling of cleaning fluid, limited adjustability, and the risk of airborne cleaning fluid exposure, which can lead to spills and health hazards.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning device with a removable and refillable pouch system that minimizes fluid leakage and includes a pump with a flexible pouch design, adjustable cleaning head, and extension poles for improved ergonomics and maneuverability, ensuring the cleaning fluid is contained between the cleaning head and the surface, reducing airborne exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual refilling of cleaning fluid reservoir is used, then device complexity is reduced, but user safety deteriorates due to spills and contact exposure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoiduser safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning fluid reservoir is segmented into a removable pouch that can be easily detached and replaced. This segmentation allows the fluid container to be separated from the main device body, enabling safe disposal and replacement without manual handling of the entire reservoir, thus reducing spill risks while maintaining relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning fluid is extracted into a separate removable pouch that can be taken out of the device. This extraction eliminates the need for users to manually refill the integrated reservoir, preventing contact exposure and spills during the refilling process, while the pouch connection mechanism remains simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If cleaning fluid is sprayed onto surface, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but airborne exposure increases creating health hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidairborne exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning fluid is applied through an intermediary mechanism where the pouch delivers fluid to a applicator head or spray system that distributes it evenly on the surface. This intermediary delivery system controls the fluid application process, reducing aerosolization and airborne exposure while maintaining effective cleaning coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible pouch acts as a controlled delivery system that releases cleaning fluid in a controlled manner. The flexible membrane of the pouch allows for regulated fluid flow to the application point, preventing excessive spraying and reducing airborne fluid generation while ensuring adequate surface coverage for effective cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Device complexity

If single cleaning task design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to adjust for different surfaces and sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates dynamic, adjustable components including an adjustable cleaning head that can be repositioned or reconfigured, and extendable poles with adjustable lengths. These dynamic elements allow the same basic device structure to adapt to different cleaning surfaces and sizes without requiring multiple specialized devices, maintaining reasonable complexity while enhancing versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning device is designed with universal components that can serve multiple cleaning functions. The adjustable cleaning head and extendable poles enable the device to handle various surface types and sizes, making a single device capable of performing multiple cleaning tasks that would otherwise require different specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enhances user safety by containing cleaning fluid during use, reduces spills, and allows for adjustable cleaning tasks with various surfaces and sizes, improving cleaning efficiency and ergonomics.

Implementation Method 1

a pump system in selective fluid communication with the pouch and the spray nozzles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP3145382B1Hard surface cleaning devices
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 UNGER MARKETING INTERNATIONAL LLC
  • EP3145382B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3145382B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3145382B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4B

AI summary

A cleaning device is provided that includes a housing, a cleaning head, a flexible pouch, a cleaning element, and a spray nozzle. The housing defines an internal cavity having a power source in selective electrical communication with a pump. The flexible pouch is removably stored in the housing and includes a cleaning fluid therein. The pouch forms a fluid and air tight connection with an inlet of the pump. The cleaning element is connected to the cleaning head and has a first spray opening. The spray nozzle is in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump. The spray nozzle is positioned on the cleaning head so as to spray the cleaning fluid from the flexible pouch through the first opening onto a surface being cleaned.