Surface cleaning apparatus with drying cycle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surface cleaning apparatuses face issues with moisture retention after use, leading to bacterial growth and unpleasant odors, requiring time-consuming and effort-intensive drying processes.
Innovation Solution
A drying cycle is implemented in the surface cleaning apparatus, utilizing forced air flow generated by a fan to dry out wet components, which can be controlled by a controller to reduce drying time and user effort, and is optionally combined with heating for faster evaporation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If components are left damp after operation, then storage is convenient, but bacterial growth and odors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary drying action immediately after operation by activating the fan and heater to dry components before storage, preventing bacterial growth and odors while maintaining convenient storage
2Object-generated harmful factors
If components are removed and air-dried manually, then odors are prevented, but time and effort are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service drying by automatically activating the fan and heater to dry internal components without user intervention, eliminating the need for manual removal and air-drying while preventing odors
3Loss of time
If a drying cycle is implemented with fan and heater, then drying time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction source fan is used for both normal suction operation and drying operation, making it multi-functional. The heater adds thermal drying capability to the existing air movement system, reducing the need for completely separate drying components
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 prevents odor development, significantly reduces drying time, and simplifies the process, improving user experience by automating the drying process and ensuring the apparatus is ready for use more quickly.
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
Implementation Method 2
The drying cycle prevents or minimizes objectionable odors from developing inside the apparatus or on various components of the recovery system, greatly reduces drying time, and simplifies the drying process to reduce user effort and improve user experience
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.