Steam Cleaner Pad Apertures for Uniform Fluid Distribution

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional steam surface cleaners often lack an effective mechanism to ensure uniform distribution and absorption of cleaning fluid onto the surface, leading to incomplete cleaning and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A steam surface cleaner design featuring a cleaning pad with multiple apertures that align with dispensing nozzles, allowing steam and cleaning solution to be directly applied onto the surface, combined with a layered structure including a pile fabric for cleaning and a backing layer with a hook and loop fastener system for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional steam surface cleaner without apertures in the cleaning pad is used, then the structure is simpler, but the cleaning fluid distribution is non-uniform and absorption is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning fluid distribution uniformityVSAvoidcleaning pad structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning pad is segmented with multiple apertures distributed across its surface, dividing the fluid delivery function into discrete channels that guide cleaning fluid from the dispensing nozzles to the surface being cleaned. This segmentation ensures uniform distribution while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning pad incorporates a porous structure with apertures that allow cleaning fluid to pass through efficiently. The porous material facilitates uniform distribution and absorption of the cleaning fluid onto the surface, improving cleaning effectiveness without significantly complicating the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Productivity

If the cleaning pad directly contacts the surface without apertures, then the structure is simpler, but the cleaning efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidaperture structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning pad is segmented with multiple apertures distributed across its surface, dividing the fluid delivery function into discrete channels that guide cleaning fluid from the dispensing nozzles to the surface being cleaned. This segmentation ensures uniform distribution while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The apertures in the cleaning pad act as intermediaries that facilitate the transfer of cleaning fluid from the dispensing nozzles to the surface being cleaned. This intermediary structure improves the efficiency of fluid delivery and surface contact without requiring complex additional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If steam and cleaning solution are not directly applied onto the surface, then the device structure is simpler, but the dirt removal effectiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirt removal effectivenessVSAvoidfluid dispensing mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning pad is segmented with multiple apertures distributed across its surface, dividing the fluid delivery function into discrete channels that guide cleaning fluid from the dispensing nozzles to the surface being cleaned. This segmentation ensures uniform distribution while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning pad incorporates a porous structure with apertures that allow cleaning fluid to pass through efficiently. The porous material facilitates uniform distribution and absorption of the cleaning fluid onto the surface, improving cleaning effectiveness without significantly complicating the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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

Ensures uniform distribution and absorption of cleaning fluid, enhancing cleaning efficiency and effectiveness by allowing steam and solution to directly contact the surface, improving dirt removal and surface cleanliness.

Implementation Method 1

a heater operable to heat the cleaning fluid to generate steam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a cleaning pad configured to directly contact the surface... allowing the cleaning fluid to flow from the dispensing nozzle, through the aperture, and onto the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS8438696B2Surface cleaner including a cleaning pad

Publication Date: 2013.05.14 TECHTRONIC FLOOR CARE TECH LTD

AI summary

A steam surface cleaner operable to clean a surface, and the steam surface cleaner includes a supply tank configured to retain a cleaning fluid, a base including a dispensing nozzle in fluid communication with the supply tank to dispense the cleaning fluid from the supply tank and onto the surface, a handle configured to move the base along the surface, a heater operable to heat the cleaning fluid to generate steam such that the cleaning fluid dispensed from the dispensing nozzle includes steam, and a cleaning pad coupled to the base for movement with the base and such that the cleaning pad is configured to directly contact the surface. The cleaning pad includes an aperture that allows the cleaning fluid to flow from the dispensing nozzle, through the aperture, and onto the surface.