Steam Mop Cleaning Pad with Peroxygen Stain Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surface cleaning technologies, such as steam mops, often struggle to effectively remove stubborn stains from surfaces, particularly those involving red dye, as they require a combination of steam, hydrogen peroxide, and surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate, but lack the energy transfer needed to enhance cleaning efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A surface cleaning apparatus with a steam generator, a cleaning solution reservoir, and a cleaning pad that applies a combination of peroxygen and surfactant, where the application of steam increases the reaction rate and energy transfer to the cleaning composition, enhancing its cleaning efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If steam is applied to cleaning composition, then cleaning efficacy is enhanced through energy transfer, but device complexity increases due to integration of steam generator and solution reservoir
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the steam generator, cleaning solution reservoir, and cleaning pad into a single integrated surface cleaning apparatus. The steam generator and solution reservoir are positioned on the handle, while the cleaning pad is attached to the cleaning head, creating a unified system that delivers both steam and cleaning composition simultaneously to the stain.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning apparatus performs multiple functions: it generates steam for thermal energy transfer, stores and delivers cleaning solution containing peroxygen and surfactant, and applies the composition to the stain through the cleaning pad. This multi-functional design consolidates what would traditionally require separate devices into one universal cleaning system.
2Productivity
If cleaning composition is applied before steam, then oxidation reaction rate increases, but treatment time increases due to dwell time requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning composition is applied to the stain in advance and allowed to dwell for a period before steam is applied. This preliminary action allows the peroxygen and surfactant to begin their cleaning work on the stain, and the subsequent steam application accelerates the oxidation reaction rate, achieving better results than either method alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The process maintains continuous useful action by first applying the cleaning composition to the stain, allowing it to dwell and work on the stain, then continuously applying steam to enhance the oxidation reaction. This sequential yet continuous approach ensures that the cleaning action is sustained and amplified throughout the treatment process.
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 combination of steam, peroxygen, and surfactant effectively removes stubborn stains by mobilizing and oxidizing them, with the steam providing the necessary energy for the oxidation reaction, resulting in complete stain removal and no reoccurrence.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator in fluid communication with the reservoir for heating the cleaning solution to generate steam
Implementation Method 2
application of steam to the cleaning composition increases the reaction rate of the cleaning composition as compared to the reaction rate of the cleaning composition without steam
Implementation Method 3
a cleaning composition comprising a peroxygen and a surfactant for application onto the stain on the floor surface
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus, and in particular a steam mop, comprises a steam generator and a cleaning pad. Steam from the steam generator can be applied to a cleaning composition applied to a stain on a floor surface. The cleaning composition can be applied directly to the floor surface, or indirectly via the cleaning pad.