Surface cleaning apparatus with drying cycle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaning apparatuses face issues with moisture retention in components after operation, leading to bacterial growth and unpleasant odors, requiring manual rinsing and drying that is time-consuming and inconvenient for users.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a drying cycle that utilizes forced air flow through the recovery pathway of the apparatus, facilitated by a fan, to dry out wet components post-operation, with optional heating and controlled operation by a controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual rinsing and drying of components is implemented, then drying effectiveness is improved, but user effort and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-drying through an automated drying cycle where the suction source generates forced air flow through the recovery pathway to dry wet components without requiring user intervention. The controller automatically activates the suction source and manages the drying process, making the system serve itself rather than requiring manual drying by the user.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual air-drying of components is implemented, then bacterial growth is reduced, but drying time and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces passive mechanical air-drying with an active forced air flow system. The suction source creates controlled forced convection through the recovery pathway, significantly accelerating the drying process compared to passive air-drying while preventing bacterial growth through rapid moisture removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying cycle is automatically initiated after cleaning operation ends, performing the drying action immediately while components are still warm and moisture is present. This preliminary action prevents bacterial growth by removing moisture before bacteria can proliferate, eliminating the need for extended drying time.
3Loss of time
If forced air flow through recovery pathway is implemented, then drying time is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction source serves dual functions: it performs the primary cleaning function during operation and then performs the drying function after operation ends. By reusing the same component for multiple purposes, the system achieves rapid drying without adding separate drying components that would consume additional energy.
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 reduces drying time, prevents odor development, and simplifies the drying process, enhancing user convenience by automating the drying process.
Implementation Method 1
During the drying cycle, forced air flows through a recovery pathway of the apparatus
Implementation Method 2
a source of suction in fluid communication with the working air conduit to draw the cleaning fluid from the surface
Data Source
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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.