Self-cleaning system for recovery path of extraction cleaners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Extraction cleaners face challenges in maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of their fluid recovery systems, particularly in removing debris and odor-causing bacteria from wands and hoses, which can lead to unpleasant odors and reduced effectiveness over time.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating self-cleaning features into accessory tools, wands, and hoses, such as wand caps and diverter valves, that allow for the diversion of cleaning fluid into the airflow path to flush out debris and residue, ensuring thorough cleaning and maintenance of the recovery system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cleaning fluid is delivered through the fluid delivery system to clean surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but debris and odor-causing bacteria accumulate in the recovery path components (wands, hoses, connectors)
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-cleaning of the recovery path by diverting cleaning fluid from the fluid delivery system back through the airflow pathway. The wand cap includes a fluid connector receiver and enclosed pathway that directs cleaning fluid into the airflow pathway, allowing the system to clean itself without external intervention, thereby removing accumulated debris and bacteria
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosed pathway in the wand cap acts as an intermediary mechanism that redirects cleaning fluid from the fluid delivery pathway into the airflow pathway. This intermediary structure enables the cleaning fluid to traverse through the recovery path components, flushing out debris and bacteria that would otherwise accumulate
2Productivity
If the recovery system continuously operates to extract spent cleaning fluid and debris, then cleaning productivity is improved, but the recovery path becomes contaminated with debris and residue
Solution Approach 1:
The self-cleaning mechanism allows the recovery path to be cleaned automatically during normal operation. By diverting cleaning fluid through the enclosed pathway in the wand cap and through the airflow pathway, the system continuously flushes out debris and residue from the recovery path components, maintaining cleanliness during continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cleaning action by diverting cleaning fluid into the airflow pathway before debris and residue can accumulate to problematic levels. The enclosed pathway ensures that cleaning fluid continuously flows through the recovery path, preventing contamination rather than just addressing it after accumulation
3Adaptability or versatility
If wand cap and connector components are designed for both fluid delivery and airflow recovery, then device versatility is improved, but cleaning fluid can escape into the environment and debris can accumulate in connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosed pathway in the wand cap serves as an intermediary structure that safely redirects cleaning fluid from the fluid connector receiver into the airflow pathway. This enclosed design prevents cleaning fluid from escaping into the environment while directing it through the airflow pathway to flush out debris from the connector components
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional connectors are self-cleaning through the redirected cleaning fluid. The enclosed pathway ensures that cleaning fluid flows through the connector components, automatically removing debris and preventing contamination, thereby maintaining the versatility of the connectors without compromising hygiene
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, maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of extraction cleaner components, thereby extending their lifespan and ensuring continued effective operation.
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
Data Source
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AI summary
Self-cleaning features for extraction cleaners (10) and attachments for extraction cleaners (10), such as accessory tools (142, 290), wands (62, 106, 144, 244, 288), and/or hoses (64, 108, 146, 246), are provided. The self-cleaning features are configured to redirect cleaning fluid from a fluid supply system (12) of the extraction cleaner (10) into a working air or fluid recovery path of the extraction cleaner (10), including, but not limited to into the working air or fluid recovery path of a tool (142, 290), wand (62, 106, 144, 244, 288), and/or hose (64, 108, 146, 246) of the extraction cleaner (10).