Cleaning Roller Regeneration With Integrated Wiper Wetting Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wet cleaning devices face inefficiencies in regeneration time and liquid usage during the cleaning process, as the cleaning roller becomes increasingly covered with dirt, requiring manual intervention and separate components for moistening and stripping.

Innovation Solution

A wet cleaning device with a scraper device that functions as a common unit with the moistening device, allowing for displacement relative to the cleaning roller to improve both moistening and regeneration by pressing liquid and dirt off the roller, utilizing a spring force for contact and a displacement drive for efficient positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate components are used for moistening and stripping devices, then each component can be optimized independently, but the device complexity increases and assembly space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent optimizationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the moistening device and stripping device into a single integrated functional unit that can be collectively displaced relative to the cleaning roller. This merging reduces the number of separate components, simplifies assembly, and decreases space requirements while maintaining the ability to optimize moistening and stripping functions within the unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If the cleaning roller rotates at high speed, then dirt and liquid are thrown off more effectively, but the regeneration time decreases control precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirt removal efficiencyVSAvoidregeneration time control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic control of the cleaning roller rotation speed during the regeneration process. The rotation speed is adjusted according to the specific stage of regeneration: higher speeds are used when dirt and liquid need to be thrown off, while lower speeds are used when precise control is needed for stripping operations. This dynamic speed adjustment optimizes both productivity and time control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the scraper device applies high contact force to the cleaning roller, then dirt and liquid are removed more effectively, but the risk of damaging the cleaning roller surface increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestripping efficiencyVSAvoidroller surface integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the contact force parameter of the scraper device dynamically during the regeneration process. The contact force is adjusted according to the specific regeneration stage and the condition of the cleaning roller. Lower contact forces are applied when the roller surface is sensitive, while higher forces are used when maximum stripping efficiency is needed and the surface can withstand the load. This parameter adjustment optimizes stripping efficiency while protecting the roller surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution reduces regeneration time and liquid usage by effectively stripping and removing dirt and liquid from the cleaning roller, enhancing cleaning efficiency and reducing assembly complexity and space requirements.

Implementation Method 1

wherein the functional unit is pressed with a spring force onto the cleaning roller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

with the displacement drive for displacing the functional unit relative to the cleaning roller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical displacement: Displacement

Implementation Method 3

both the liquid is pressed out or stripped off from the material of the cleaning roller, as well as the dirt picked up, so that the regeneration success is improved compared to the prior art. Due to the rotation of the cleaning roller, the dirt is thrown off the cleaning roller or the scraper device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3474717B1Wet cleaning apparatus with a rotatable cleaning roller
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH
  • EP3474717B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3474717B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3474717B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a wet-cleaning appliance (1), in particular a wet mop, having a cleaning roller (2), which can be rotated about a roller axis (3), and having a wetting device (4) for applying a liquid to the cleaning roller (2). In order to provide for regeneration of the cleaning roller (2) with the best possible result, it is proposed that the wet-cleaning appliance (1) should have a wiper device (5), in particular a wiper lip, which can be displaced onto the cleaning roller (2) and is intended for assisting in removing liquid and/or dirt from the cleaning roller (2) and/or for assisting in applying liquid to the cleaning roller (2). A method for operating a wet-cleaning appliance (1) is also proposed.