Steam Cleaning Head Sealing for Safer Refrigerated Chamber Robots
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning methods for cold stores and refrigerated trailers are inefficient, utilizing high water volumes, posing risks from chemical residues and operator safety due to the need for manual ladder access at heights.
Innovation Solution
A robot equipped with a high-pressure steam cleaning system and articulated hydraulic mechanism allows for chemical-free cleaning and safe access to high areas, using a cleaning head with steam injection, brushes, and suction to efficiently clean and disinfect walls and ceilings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical disinfectants and high water volume methods are used for cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but water consumption increases and chemical residue risks arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the cleaning medium by using steam instead of liquid water. The steam is generated at high temperature and pressure, then expanded to clean surfaces. This parameter change allows effective cleaning with minimal water consumption, as the steam condenses on contact with cooler surfaces, transferring heat and cleaning power without requiring large volumes of liquid water.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cleaning system (hoses, brooms, brushes with chemical solutions) with a thermal-energy-based system. Steam generation, expansion, and injection mechanisms substitute for manual mechanical cleaning tools, providing more effective and efficient cleaning without the drawbacks of chemical and high-water-volume methods.
2Reliability
If chemical disinfectants are used for cleaning, then disinfection capability is improved, but operator safety deteriorates due to exposure risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates chemical disinfectants from the cleaning system entirely. By using steam as the sole cleaning and disinfecting medium, the system removes the harmful chemical substances that pose risks to operators, while maintaining effective disinfection capability through the thermal and mechanical action of steam.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful high-energy steam into a beneficial cleaning and disinfecting agent. The steam, which could be dangerous if uncontrolled, is systematically generated, directed, and applied to surfaces, transforming a potential hazard into a powerful tool for chemical-free disinfection that protects operator safety.
3Area of stationary object
If manual cleaning at heights is performed, then cleaning coverage is improved, but operator safety deteriorates due to working on ladders and scaffolding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service cleaning system where the robot autonomously navigates and cleans surfaces without human intervention. The robotic platform independently moves, positions itself, and performs cleaning operations, eliminating the need for operators to physically access heights on ladders or scaffolding while maintaining comprehensive cleaning coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a robotic intermediary between the operator and the hazardous cleaning environment. The robot serves as a mediator that performs the dangerous tasks of accessing and cleaning high surfaces, allowing operators to remain safely on the ground while controlling or monitoring the cleaning process remotely.
4Device complexity
If traditional cleaning methods are used, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but cleaning efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional cleaning system that combines steam generation, steam injection, surface navigation, and waste collection in a single robotic platform. This universal device can handle various cleaning tasks across different surfaces and heights, significantly improving efficiency compared to multiple separate traditional tools while managing complexity through integrated design.
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
Significantly reduces water consumption and eliminates chemical exposure and safety hazards, enabling faster and safer cleaning operations with reduced personnel risk.
Implementation Method 1
The cleaning head (4) is equipped with a cleaning surface (5) that comprises perimeter rubber pieces (6) that project from said cleaning surface and that are configured to create a hermetically closed space when they rest against a surface to be cleaned, with pressurised steam injection areas in the inside of the cleaning surface
Implementation Method 2
mobile brush areas to scrub the surface to be cleaned
Implementation Method 3
suction areas to collect the waste water from the cleaning
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A cleaning robot (1) for walls and ceilings of a facility, using high-pressure steam, and which comprises a mobile carriage (2) in order to move and an articulated hydraulic mechanism (3) fastened to said mobile carriage (2) and equipped with a cleaning head (4), the cleaning robot (1) being of note due to the fact that the cleaning head (4) comprises a cleaning surface (5) that in turn comprises projecting perimeter pieces of rubber (6) configured to create a hermetically closed space when they rest on a surface to be cleaned; there being arranged inside said cleaning surface (5) delimited by the perimeter rubber pieces (6) pressurised steam injection areas (7), mobile brush areas (8) to scrub the surface to be cleaned, and suction areas (9) to collect the cleaning waste water.