Surface Cleaning Apparatus with On-Board Hydrogen Peroxide Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface cleaning apparatuses, such as steam mops, rely on external hydrogen peroxide solutions or pre-treatment of surfaces with titanium dioxide, which can leave residues and require additional consumables, limiting their effectiveness and convenience.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a hydrogen peroxide generator within the cleaning apparatus, utilizing a titanium dioxide catalyst and ultraviolet light to produce hydrogen peroxide on-board from stored water, which is then delivered to the cleaning pad for effective stain and odor removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external hydrogen peroxide solutions are used for cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and need for external consumables increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning apparatus generates its own hydrogen peroxide solution through an on-board generator that combines water, titanium dioxide catalyst, and ultraviolet light source, eliminating the need for external hydrogen peroxide bottles or pre-prepared solutions. The system serves itself by producing the cleaning agent it needs directly at the point of application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hydrogen peroxide generator as an intermediary component between the water supply and the cleaning pad application system. This generator acts as a mediator that converts simple water into active hydrogen peroxide solution through photochemical reactions involving titanium dioxide and ultraviolet light, thereby improving cleaning effectiveness without requiring users to handle external peroxide containers.
2Reliability
If surfaces are pre-treated with titanium dioxide for hydrogen peroxide generation, then cleaning performance is improved, but residue issues and additional steps are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring users to pre-treat surfaces with titanium dioxide before cleaning, the patent incorporates the titanium dioxide catalyst within the cleaning apparatus itself, specifically in the hydrogen peroxide generator located in the cleaning head. This preliminary positioning of the catalyst eliminates the need for separate surface preparation steps while maintaining the photochemical hydrogen peroxide generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent relocates the titanium dioxide catalyst from being an external surface treatment to an integrated component within the hydrogen peroxide generator. This intermediary placement allows the catalyst to remain contained within the device, where it can be activated by the ultraviolet light source to generate hydrogen peroxide from water without leaving residues on the cleaned surface.
3Ease of operation
If hydrogen peroxide is generated on-board using water, titanium dioxide, and ultraviolet light, then convenience and effectiveness are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the cleaning head assembly: the hydrogen peroxide generator (combining water reservoir, titanium dioxide catalyst, and ultraviolet light source), the steam generator, and the cleaning pad application system all integrate into a single unit. This consolidation allows the device to generate its own cleaning agent on-demand while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that users can operate without understanding the complex photochemical processes involved.
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
Enables in-situ generation of hydrogen peroxide for enhanced cleaning performance, eliminating residue issues and the need for external hydrogen peroxide, while combining with steam for comprehensive stain treatment.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet light source configured to emit ultraviolet light directly onto the catalyst surface, wherein the exposure of fluid on the catalyst surface to ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light source produces a hydrogen peroxide solution
Implementation Method 2
The hydrogen peroxide generator includes a catalyst surface, a fluid distributor configured to deliver fluid from the supply tank to the catalyst surface
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus includes a housing with an on-board hydrogen peroxide generator which produces a hydrogen peroxide solution in situ from fluid stored within an on-board supply tank of the surface cleaning apparatus, and further delivers the generated hydrogen peroxide solution to a cleaning pad attached to the housing of the surface cleaning apparatus.