Surface cleaning apparatus with steam
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-surface vacuum cleaners lack an efficient method for delivering steam as part of their cleaning process, which can limit their effectiveness in removing tough stains and debris from various floor surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A surface cleaning apparatus that integrates a steam delivery system with an upright wet/dry vacuum cleaner, featuring a heater to generate steam and a steam dispenser that can direct steam both towards and away from the cleaning surface, allowing for various cleaning modes including liquid cleaning and steam-only modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a multi-surface vacuum cleaner uses traditional liquid cleaning methods, then it can clean floor surfaces, but it lacks effectiveness in removing tough stains and embedded soils
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines steam delivery capability with traditional liquid cleaning methods in a single vacuum cleaner system. The steam generator, water tank, and liquid dispensing system are integrated into one apparatus, allowing simultaneous or alternating use of steam and liquid cleaning methods to address different staining and soil types effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum cleaner is designed to perform multiple cleaning functions: dry vacuuming, wet cleaning with liquid solutions, and steam cleaning. This multi-functionality allows the single device to adapt to various cleaning scenarios including tough stains, embedded soils, and different floor surface types, eliminating the need for separate specialized cleaning devices.
2Productivity
If steam delivery system is added to the vacuum cleaner, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator is integrated into the existing vacuum cleaner housing and shares common components such as the power source, control system, and structural framework. This merging approach allows steam delivery functionality to be added without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as many system elements are shared across the vacuum and steam functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The water tank serves dual purposes: storing water for liquid cleaning dispensing and providing water supply to the steam generator. This multi-functional use of the same component reduces the need for separate water storage systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining steam delivery capability.
3Productivity
If steam is dispensed towards the cleaning surface, then embedded soils and stuck-on debris are removed, but visible steam vapor may interfere with the cleaning operator's visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The steam delivery system incorporates targeted dispensing nozzles that direct steam locally at specific stained or soiled areas rather than dispersing steam broadly. This localized steam application maximizes soil removal effectiveness at the treatment spot while minimizing steam vapor in the operator's general field of view, thereby preserving visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The steam delivery operates in periodic or pulsed cycles rather than continuous emission. Steam is delivered in controlled bursts during critical cleaning moments, allowing visibility to be maintained between pulses while still achieving effective soil removal through the high-temperature steam bursts when applied.
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 provides enhanced cleaning capabilities by applying steam in conjunction with liquid cleaning solutions, improving the removal of embedded soils and stuck-on debris on both hard and soft floor surfaces, while also offering a self-cleaning mode for maintaining the apparatus's cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
a heater configured to heat cleaning fluid to generate steam
Implementation Method 2
a steam dispenser, wherein the steam dispenser includes a floor steam outlet to dispense steam toward the surface to be cleaned and a steam vapor outlet to dispense steam away from the surface to be cleaned as visible steam vapor
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus includes a steam delivery system, a liquid delivery system, and a recovery system. The apparatus may have multiple cleaning modes, including a mode where liquid is dispensed, a mode where liquid and steam are dispensed, and/or a self-cleaning mode in which an unattended, automatic cleanout mode of operation is executed to clean at least a portion of a recovery pathway of the recovery system. Methods for operating a surface cleaning apparatus and for self-cleaning a surface cleaning apparatus are also provided.