Self-Cleaning Extraction Cleaner Attachments to Reduce Residue Buildup
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Extraction cleaners face challenges in maintaining the cleanliness of their fluid recovery systems, leading to residue buildup and unpleasant odors in hoses and attachments, which complicates post-use maintenance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating self-cleaning features into accessory tools, wands, and hoses that divert cleaning fluid into the airflow pathway to flush out debris and residue, allowing for easy cleaning of the recovery path and maintaining the equipment's efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional extraction cleaners are used without self-cleaning features, then the basic cleaning function is maintained, but residue buildup and odor occur in hoses and attachments requiring complex post-use maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory tool incorporates a self-cleaning capability where cleaning fluid is diverted into the airflow pathway to automatically flush out debris and residue from the recovery system components including hoses and attachments, eliminating the need for manual disassembly and cleaning by the user
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs cleaning action immediately after use by diverting cleaning fluid through the airflow pathway, preventing residue buildup and odor formation before they occur, rather than requiring separate post-use maintenance steps
2Ease of operation
If self-cleaning features are added to accessory tools, then maintenance simplicity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional fluid delivery pathways and diverters
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory tool housing serves multiple functions: it contains the airflow pathway for suction, incorporates the fluid delivery pathway for cleaning fluid, and includes the diverter mechanism to switch between normal cleaning mode and self-cleaning mode, eliminating the need for separate dedicated cleaning components
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 self-cleaning features effectively remove debris, residue, and odor-causing bacteria from the extraction cleaner's components, enhancing user convenience and maintaining the equipment's performance by simplifying post-use maintenance and reducing messiness.
Implementation Method 1
a source of suction in fluid communication with the working air conduit to draw the cleaning fluid from the surface to be cleaned and through the nozzle and the working air conduit to the recovery tank
Implementation Method 2
a diverter provided on the housing in the fluid delivery pathway upstream of the fluid outlet and configured to divert cleaning fluid into the airflow pathway downstream of the air inlet and upstream of the air outlet
Implementation Method 3
divert cleaning fluid into the airflow pathway to flush out debris and residue, allowing for easy cleaning of the recovery path
Data Source
AI summary
Self-cleaning features for extraction cleaners and attachments for extraction cleaners, such as accessory tools, wands, and/or hoses, are provided. The self-cleaning features are configured redirect cleaning fluid from a fluid supply system of the extraction cleaner into a working air or fluid recovery path of the extraction cleaner, including, but not limited to into the working air or fluid recovery path of a tool, wand, and/or hose of the extraction cleaner.