Surface Cleaning Apparatus Regulator Tank for Consistent Liquid Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaning apparatuses, such as steam mops, face challenges in maintaining a consistent flow of liquid to the steam generator, especially as the liquid level in the supply tank decreases, leading to variable cleaning performance due to gravity-feed systems' reliance on liquid level and susceptibility to surface tension and backpressure issues.
Innovation Solution
The surface cleaning apparatus incorporates a regulator tank that controls the exchange of liquid and air between the supply tank and the steam generator, ensuring a steady flow of liquid through a conduit with a port that adjusts liquid and air exchange, maintaining a consistent flow rate regardless of the liquid level in the supply tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a gravity-feed system is used to deliver liquid from the supply tank, then the device complexity is reduced, but the liquid flow becomes variable and unreliable as the liquid level decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a regulator tank as an intermediary component between the supply tank and the steam generator. This regulator tank maintains a consistent liquid level and provides stable hydrostatic pressure, acting as a mediator that decouples the variable liquid level in the supply tank from the flow requirements of the steam generator, thereby ensuring reliable and consistent liquid flow without complex pumping systems
2Quantity of substance
If the liquid level in the supply tank decreases, then the available liquid volume increases for cleaning, but the liquid flow rate becomes variable and inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator tank serves as a buffer that maintains consistent liquid flow rate regardless of the liquid level in the supply tank. By decoupling the supply tank's variable liquid level from the steam generator's flow requirements, the regulator tank ensures that cleaning efficiency remains high throughout the entire liquid supply duration, from full to empty tank conditions
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
This configuration ensures a consistent and controlled liquid flow to the steam generator, improving cleaning efficiency by minimizing the impact of liquid level changes and surface tension, and maintaining effective steam production across varying liquid levels.
Implementation Method 1
the regulator tank comprising a chamber for holding a volume of liquid from the supply tank and a volume of air
Implementation Method 2
as liquid flows out of the supply tank, the at least one port exchanges liquid and air between the chamber and the supply tank to regulate a steady flow of liquid through the outlet
Implementation Method 3
a vent in fluid communication with ambient air for venting ambient air into the chamber
Implementation Method 4
as liquid flows out of the supply tank, the at least one port exchanges liquid and air between the chamber and the supply tank
Implementation Method 5
to regulate a steady flow of liquid through the outlet regardless of the volume of liquid in the supply tank
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a supply tank and a distributor for delivering fluid to a surface to be cleaned. A constant flow of fluid can be delivered from the supply tank to the distributor via a regulator tank in fluid communication with the supply tank for exchanging liquid and air with the supply tank.