Surface Cleaner Nozzle With Integrated Fluid Channels and Dual Wipers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-surface vacuum cleaners face challenges in effectively cleaning hard and soft surfaces with both wet and dry methods, often resulting in streaks and inefficient debris removal due to inadequate fluid distribution and agitator design, as well as complexity in fluid delivery and recovery systems.
Innovation Solution
A surface cleaning apparatus with a dual wiper configuration for even fluid distribution and streak prevention, a hybrid brushroll for optimized surface cleaning, integrated fluid delivery channels for reduced components and ease of maintenance, and a visible indicator system for improved user feedback, along with a storage tray for self-cleaning and drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fluid delivery system with multiple components is used to deliver cleaning fluid to the surface, then the fluid distribution can be improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the fluid delivery channels directly into the nozzle housing structure, merging what would traditionally be separate components (fluid channels, nozzle body, cover) into a single integrated housing. This reduces the number of parts while maintaining effective fluid distribution to the cleaning surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle housing serves multiple functions: it structures the fluid delivery pathways, provides the cleaning surface interface, and integrates the cover assembly. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision for fluid distribution.
2Reliability
If a fluid recovery system with suction source and nozzle is used to extract spent cleaning fluid and debris, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction nozzle assembly integrates the fluid delivery outlets and debris intake pathways into a single housing structure, combining what would traditionally be separate delivery and recovery systems into one unified component that reduces overall complexity while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
3Device complexity
If integrated fluid delivery channels are used between nozzle housing and cover, then the number of components is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid delivery channels are formed as integral portions of the nozzle housing and cover assembly, eliminating the need for separate channel components. This integration reduces the total number of parts while the manufacturing process is designed to achieve the required precision for fluid flow.
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 apparatus achieves efficient cleaning with reduced streaking and debris scatter, optimized performance on various surfaces, simplified manufacturing and maintenance, and enhanced user feedback through visible indicators, while maintaining a compact design.
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 light operably coupled with the actuator and provided on the base adjacent the at least one fluid delivery channel and adapted to illuminate the fluid delivery channel upon actuation of the actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus includes a housing including an upright handle assembly and a base mounted to the handle assembly and adapted for movement across a surface to be cleaned The surface cleaning apparatus is further provided with a fluid delivery system comprising a fluid dispenser and at least one fluid delivery channel forming a portion of a fluid delivery pathway. The fluid delivery channel can be formed by a portion of a suction nozzle assembly on the base. A light provided on the base can be configured to illuminate the fluid delivery channel when cleaning fluid is being delivered.