Solid Detergent Dispenser for Alternating pH Floor Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Quarry tile floors become slippery over time due to wear and grease buildup, posing a safety risk despite regular cleaning, as the microscopic peaks that provide initial slip resistance are polished or worn down, reducing the static coefficient of friction.
Innovation Solution
A method of dispensing alternating acidic and alkaline solid cleaning products using a solid product dispenser, where one product is dissolved with a diluent to create a use solution, ensuring a pH transition that effectively removes grease and maintains traction by alternating between acidic, neutral, and alkaline pH levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If quarry tile is used for flooring, then durability and low cost are achieved, but the surface becomes slippery over time due to wear and grease buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic alternation between acidic and alkaline cleaning products to maintain tile surface traction. The system automatically switches between different pH cleaners at scheduled intervals, with acidic cleaners removing polymerized grease and alkaline cleaners removing fresher grease, thereby periodically restoring the microscopic peaks that provide slip resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameter (pH) of the cleaning agent periodically. By alternating between acidic (low pH) and alkaline (high pH) cleaners, the system addresses different types of grease buildup at different stages, effectively removing soils that accumulate over time and restoring the tile surface friction properties
2Productivity
If daily cleaning is performed, then routine maintenance is achieved, but grease saturation continues to reduce friction over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter (pH) of the cleaning agent periodically. By alternating between acidic (low pH) and alkaline (high pH) cleaners, the system addresses different types of grease buildup at different stages, effectively removing soils that accumulate over time and restoring the tile surface friction properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous effective cleaning action by alternating between complementary cleaners. The system maintains uninterrupted cleaning coverage where acidic and alkaline cleaners work in sequence to address different grease states, preventing grease saturation from developing despite frequent cleaning
3Reliability
If alternating acidic and alkaline cleaners are used, then cleaning efficacy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cleaning function into two distinct product compartments within the dispenser - one for acidic cleaner and one for alkaline cleaner. This segmentation allows the system to store and dispense different pH cleaners separately, then alternate between them automatically, maintaining cleaning efficacy while organizing the complexity into manageable segments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional dispenser that can hold and dispense multiple types of cleaning products (acidic and alkaline) through a single device. The dispenser unit performs multiple functions: storing different cleaners, tracking their usage, and automatically alternating between them, thereby reducing overall system complexity compared to using separate dispensers for each cleaner type
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 alternating cleaning products maintain a higher coefficient of friction on the tile surfaces, reducing slipperiness and enhancing safety by continuously improving cleaning efficacy over time.
Implementation Method 1
A bottom portion of the solid product is contacted with a diluent to dissolve a portion of the solid product to create a use solution
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of dispensing a first solid product (150) and a second solid product (160) with a solid product dispenser (100) includes placing the first solid product in a product housing (103) of the dispenser and placing the second solid product in the product housing on top of the first solid product, the first and second solid products being different products. A portion of the first solid product is dispensed during each cycle of the dispenser until the first solid product has been partially depleted to a size small enough to allow the second solid product to also be dispensed, then a portion of the first solid product and a portion of the second solid product are dispensed during each cycle of the dispenser until the first solid product has been completely depleted, and then a portion of the second solid product is dispensed during each cycle of the dispenser.