Surface cleaning apparatus with drying cycle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surface cleaning apparatuses face challenges in drying components that remain wet after operation, leading to bacterial growth and objectionable odors, requiring time and effort for manual rinsing and drying.
Innovation Solution
A drying cycle is implemented in the surface cleaning apparatus, utilizing forced air flow generated by a fan to dry out components, which can be controlled by a controller to reduce drying time and user effort, and prevent odor development.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If manual rinsing and drying of components is performed, then bacterial growth and odors are prevented, but user time and effort are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic drying of its own components using the existing fan and airflow pathways. The fan blows air through the recovery tank and internal components after operation, enabling self-drying without user intervention. This resolves the contradiction by making the system service itself, preventing odors while eliminating manual drying time.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying cycle is initiated automatically after cleaning operation completes. The controller detects when cleaning stops and automatically starts the fan to blow air through components, drying them before storage. This preliminary action prevents bacterial growth before it can occur, resolving the contradiction by addressing the drying need immediately after use rather than requiring separate manual intervention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual drying of components is performed, then odors are prevented, but user effort and space requirements are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically dries its own components using integrated fan and airflow pathways. The fan blows air through the recovery tank and internal components, eliminating the need for users to manually remove, lay out, and dry components. This resolves the contradiction by making the system self-servicing, preventing odors while greatly simplifying user operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying function is merged with the existing fan and airflow system already present for cleaning operation. The same fan that generates suction during cleaning is repurposed to generate drying airflow afterward, combining two functions into one system. This resolves the contradiction by integrating drying capability into the existing structure, preventing odors without adding operational complexity.
3Loss of time
If forced air drying is implemented, then drying time is reduced, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The existing fan, originally designed for generating suction during cleaning operation, is made multi-functional by also using it to generate drying airflow after operation. The controller switches the fan operation mode from suction to blowing, allowing one component to serve two purposes. This resolves the contradiction by making the system universal, reducing drying time through forced air while avoiding additional drying-specific hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing resources (fan, airflow pathways, housing structure) to perform drying, rather than requiring separate dedicated drying components. The recovery tank and internal pathways that already exist for cleaning are repurposed as drying channels. This resolves the contradiction by self-servicing with existing infrastructure, achieving fast drying without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 drying cycle effectively minimizes odor formation, reduces drying time significantly, and simplifies the drying process, improving user experience by automating the drying process.
Implementation Method 1
During the drying cycle, forced air flows through a recovery pathway of the apparatus to dry out components that remain wet and/or retain moisture after normal operation of the apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a surface cleaning apparatus that includes a recovery system that extracts liquid and debris with a drying cycle in which forced air flows through a recovery pathway of the recovery system to dry out components that remain wet and/or retain moisture after normal operation of the apparatus. The post-operation drying cycle can dry out components such as an agitator or brushroll, a brush chamber, a suction nozzle, a recovery tank, a filter, and any of the various conduits, ducts, and/or hoses fluidly coupling components of the recovery system together.