Pressure washing system and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure washing systems lack an efficient and cost-effective method to prevent damage to surfaces underneath the system when a spray gun component is used to clean adjacent or second surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A pressure washer system with a pump, pressure regulating valve, diversion block, and rotary nozzle system, where the system includes a first fluid path for cleaning underneath surfaces and a second fluid path that activates when needed to clean adjacent surfaces, using a valve trigger and rotary nozzle system to control fluid flow and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a spray gun component is used to clean adjacent surfaces, then cleaning versatility is improved, but risk of damage to underlying surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid path is segmented into multiple independent channels: a first fluid path for cleaning surfaces underneath the pressure washer and a second fluid path for cleaning adjacent surfaces through the spray gun. This segmentation allows independent control of each cleaning path, enabling the system to direct high-pressure fluid only where needed, thus preventing damage to underlying surfaces while maintaining cleaning versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
A diversion block acts as an intermediary component that receives fluid from the pump and directs it to either the first fluid path or the second fluid path. This intermediary mechanism enables selective routing of high-pressure fluid, allowing the operator to choose between cleaning the underlying surface or directing spray through the adjacent surface spray gun, thereby preventing unintended damage while maintaining versatility.
2Productivity
If high pressure is maintained for cleaning adjacent surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but risk of over-cleaning underlying surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different fluid paths based on cleaning needs. The diversion block can be configured to direct high-pressure fluid through the second fluid path to the spray gun for adjacent surface cleaning, or through the first fluid path for underlying surface cleaning. This dynamic switching capability allows high pressure to be applied only to the intended target, maintaining cleaning effectiveness while preventing over-cleaning of unintended surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Different fluid paths are designed with different pressure characteristics suited for their specific cleaning tasks. The system applies high pressure locally where needed (either through the spray gun for adjacent surfaces or through the first path for underlying surfaces) while keeping other paths at lower or zero pressure, thus achieving effective cleaning without causing over-cleaning damage.
3Reliability
If a valve system is added to control fluid paths, then pressure control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diversion block serves multiple functions: it acts as a pressure control valve, a fluid path selector, and a connection manifold for both fluid paths. By combining these functions into a single component, the system achieves reliable pressure control and path selection without significantly increasing overall device complexity. The spray gun trigger also serves dual purposes as both a trigger mechanism and a valve actuator.
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
Effectively prevents over-cleaning and damage to underlying surfaces while allowing efficient cleaning of adjacent surfaces by controlling fluid pressure and flow through the use of a diversion block and rotary nozzle system.
Implementation Method 1
a pump, a pressure regulating valve, a diversion block, where the pump provides a fluid to the diversion block
Implementation Method 2
the rotary nozzle system includes one or more rotating spray nozzles when the second fluid path is open
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a system and method for operating a surface pressure washer with a wand component. The method may include the steps of cleaning a first surface through a first fluid path, where the first fluid path includes a pump, a pressure regulating valve, a diversion block, and a spray gun, while spray nozzles are not discharging fluid to a second surface, actuating a valve connected to the diversion block, thereby reducing the pressure available to the first fluid path and creating a second fluid path, where the second fluid path includes the pump, the pressure regulating valve, the diversion block and the spray nozzles, where the spray nozzles are configured to rotate above the second surface when the second fluid path is open, and cleaning a second surface underneath the pressure washer system through the second fluid path.