Surface Interaction Layer With Fluid Supply and Dirty Water Drain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices face issues with simultaneous operation of vacuum and steam functions, leading to reduced effectiveness and convenience due to moisture entering air flow conduits and forming grime, and require frequent dipping for fluid application and removal.
Innovation Solution
A compact cleaning device with a surface interaction layer that supplies cleaning fluid and drains dirty fluid using underpressure, eliminating the need for fluid storage and ensuring clean fluid is always used, featuring a cloth or microfiber material for efficient cleaning and drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If vacuum and steam functions are operated simultaneously on a single cleaning appliance, then cleaning versatility is improved, but moisture enters air flow conduits and forms grime reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning appliance is divided into separate functional modules: a vacuum module with air flow conduit and a steam module with water reservoir. These modules can operate independently or be used in sequence, preventing moisture contamination while maintaining versatility through modular combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance is designed to perform cleaning functions in periodic sequence rather than simultaneously. The vacuum function operates first to remove debris, followed by the steam function for sanitization, preventing moisture ingress into air flow paths while achieving comprehensive cleaning.
2Ease of operation
If cleaning fluid is stored in a reservoir for repeated use, then convenience is improved, but the fluid becomes contaminated with dirt reducing cleaning quality
Solution Approach 1:
The dirty fluid is extracted and separated from the clean cleaning fluid through a filtration system. A filter element captures contaminants while allowing clean fluid to pass through and be reused, maintaining cleaning quality while extending fluid usage life.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers clean cleaning fluid from used fluid through filtration. The filter removes dirt and contaminants, allowing the recovered clean fluid to be pumped back into the reservoir for repeated use, eliminating the need for frequent refilling while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the surface interaction layer has fluid storage capacity, then fluid supply continuity is improved, but the layer thickness increases reducing compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical fluid storage system is replaced with a pump-based fluid delivery system. A pump continuously supplies cleaning fluid from a remote reservoir through channels in the surface interaction layer, eliminating the need for thick built-in storage while ensuring continuous fluid supply.
Solution Approach 2:
Fluid storage is moved from the two-dimensional layer structure to a three-dimensional remote reservoir. The pump system transports fluid through channels, separating the storage function from the interaction layer and maintaining layer compactness while ensuring fluid availability.
4Device complexity
If a single pipe is used for both water supply and drainage, then device complexity is reduced, but fluid contamination occurs reducing cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid transport system is segmented into separate supply and drainage pipes. The water supply pipe delivers clean fluid from the reservoir to the surface interaction layer, while the drainage pipe removes dirty fluid to the collection container, preventing cross-contamination and maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
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 device provides effective and convenient cleaning by continuously supplying clean fluid and draining dirty fluid, preventing dirt from sticking to the surface and maintaining cleaning efficiency without the need for frequent bucket dipping.
Implementation Method 1
a dirty fluid drain in said surface interaction layer for draining off the dirty fluid from the surface interaction layer by means of underpressure
Implementation Method 2
a cleaning fluid supply for delivering a cleaning fluid to the surface interaction layer
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A cleaning device comprises a surface interaction layer (ML), a cleaning fluid supply (CFF) provided with a cleaning fluid channel (CFC) at the surface interaction layer (ML) for supplying a cleaning fluid to a surface (F) through the surface interaction layer (ML) being in contact with the surface (F), and a dirty fluid drain (DFD) having a dirty fluid channel (DFC) at the surface interaction layer (ML) for draining, by means of underpressure, dirty water from the surface (F) through the surface interaction layer (ML) being in contact with the surface (F).