Rubber Floor Mat Cleaning Machine with Pressurized Water Nozzles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines are not capable of efficiently cleaning vehicle floor mats made entirely of rubber, as they are difficult to feed through machines with rollers and brushes, and require manual high-pressure water hoses for cleaning, which is not practical at self-service carwashes.
Innovation Solution
A machine designed for automated washing of rubber vehicle floor mats, featuring an outer housing with a door that secures the mat, multiple water nozzles connected to a high-pressure water pump, and an air blower for drying, allowing for efficient cleaning and drying without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional roller and brush machines are used to clean floor mats, then carpeted or fabric floor mats can be effectively vacuumed, but all-rubber floor mats cannot be processed due to their molded configuration and raised edges
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of feeding the floor mat through rollers and brushes as in traditional vacuum machines, this invention inverts the approach by securing the floor mat to a stationary door and directing water nozzles onto it. The mat remains fixed while the cleaning medium (water) moves, eliminating the feeding problem caused by raised edges and molded configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical roller and brush system with a water-based cleaning system. High-pressure water nozzles directed at the floor mat surface eliminate the need for mechanical contact, allowing all-rubber mats with any configuration to be cleaned without physical feeding through the machine.
2Reliability
If high-pressure water hoses are used to clean all-rubber floor mats, then thorough cleaning can be achieved, but manual operation is required which is not practical at self-service carwashes
Solution Approach 1:
The machine enables self-service operation where customers can load their own floor mats onto the door and initiate the washing cycle. The automated water nozzles and air blower then perform the cleaning and drying functions automatically, combining ease of use with effective cleaning without requiring manual operation throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous automated action through the water pump delivering pressurized water through nozzles, followed automatically by the air blower for drying. This continuous automated process eliminates the need for manual intervention while maintaining reliable cleaning effectiveness throughout the entire cycle.
3Stress or pressure
If manual high-pressure water hoses are used for cleaning, then water can be delivered at sufficient pressure to remove dirt and debris, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces manual hose operation with an automated water pump system that delivers pressurized water through multiple nozzles simultaneously. This substitution maintains the necessary water pressure for effective cleaning while dramatically increasing productivity by eliminating manual operation and enabling parallel cleaning of the entire mat surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple water nozzles into a single integrated cleaning system, delivering pressurized water from multiple angles simultaneously. This combination maintains high water pressure on the mat surface while reducing the time required compared to manual hose movement, as multiple zones are cleaned at once.
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 machine effectively washes and dries rubber vehicle floor mats using high-pressure water jets and air blowers, ensuring thorough cleaning and efficient operation, making it suitable for self-service carwashes.
Implementation Method 1
The water nozzles are specifically arranged, angled and structured to spin about a central axis as a result of the thrust of the pressurized water exiting the nozzles
Implementation Method 2
The air blower directs air from one side of the interior washing chamber onto the all-rubber vehicle floor mat at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to promote drying
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for cleaning vehicle rubber floor mats includes a housing with an interior washing chamber having an arrangement of rotating water nozzles that direct a pressurized spray of water onto the top side of the rubber floor mat that is held in opposing relation to the water nozzles. An electric motor operates a water pump to direct pressurized waterflow to the water nozzles at a pressure of between 2,000 psi and 3,500 psi. At the end of a washing cycle, the electric motor and pump are disabled and an air blower is activated to direct a flow of air onto the rubber floor mat at a rate of approximately 75 CFM during a drying cycle. A drain on the floor of the washing chamber directs the dirty water out of the housing of the machine which may be directed to a collection reservoir or the surrounding environment.