One-Way Tubular Pump for Controlled Water Feed in Steam Mops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam cleaners and mops are inefficient in pumping water from a reservoir to a boiler for steam generation, as they require frequent rinsing and have limited surface area coverage, and existing steam mops with bellows or piston pumps are cumbersome and less effective.
Innovation Solution
A one-way tubular water pump with a flexible hose and one-way valves, actuated by a piston or eccentric shaft, which allows for efficient water transfer from a reservoir to a boiler in a steam appliance, enabling controlled water flow and steam generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional mops are used for cleaning floors, then they can clean surfaces, but they require frequent rinsing and have limited surface area coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the water pumping function from the traditional mop structure and implements it through a dedicated bellows pump mechanism integrated into the handle, enabling continuous water supply to the cleaning head without frequent rinsing interruptions
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows pump pre-compresses air to generate pressure that forces water through the system continuously, preparing and delivering water in advance before it is needed at the cleaning head, thereby eliminating the need for frequent manual rinsing
2Area of stationary object
If steam cleaners with conventional nozzles are used, then they can generate steam, but they have small surface area coverage and wet the cleaning cloth
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from point-source steam delivery through conventional nozzles to a distributed steam delivery system using a large flat heating element that contacts the floor directly, expanding the effective surface area from a small nozzle opening to a broad contact plane
Solution Approach 2:
The flat heating element acts as an intermediary between the steam generator and the floor surface, distributing steam evenly across a large area and preventing direct jetting of steam that would wet the cleaning cloth
3Productivity
If bellows pumps or piston pumps are used in steam mops, then they can pump water, but the devices become cumbersome and less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a flexible diaphragm within the bellows pump to create pressure differentials that drive water flow, replacing complex piston-valve mechanisms with a simpler flexible membrane that responds to air pressure changes, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining pumping effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows pump utilizes pneumatic pressure from compressed air to drive hydraulic flow of water through the system, leveraging gas-compression mechanics rather than direct mechanical piston action, which simplifies the overall pump structure while improving water delivery efficiency
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 solution provides a simplified and efficient method for pumping water to a steam boiler, enhancing cleaning effectiveness and reducing the need for frequent rinsing, while allowing for controlled steam generation and improved surface area coverage.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second one-way valves cooperate to permit water to pass through the chamber in only one axial direction from the first opening to the second opening
Implementation Method 2
The length of resilient tubular material is mounted on the base. The actuator is aligned to alternately squeeze the length of resilient tubular material against the base to pump water out of the chamber via the second opening, and release the length of resilient tubular material from the base to draw water into the chamber via the first opening
Implementation Method 3
A steam fabric pad or towel may be mounted on the steam frame for cleaning
Implementation Method 4
Steam generated in a steam appliance is fed to a steam frame
Data Source
AI summary
A tubular fluid pump is provided. The pump includes a chamber for receiving and discharging fluid, and a squeezing mechanism for pumping fluid through the chamber. The chamber has a first end with a first opening, a second end with a second opening, and a length of resilient tubular material extending between the first and second openings. One-way valves disposed at the openings cooperate to permit fluid to pass through the chamber in only one axial direction. The squeezing mechanism includes a substantially rigid base and a substantially rigid displaceable actuator. The tubular material is mounted on the base of the squeezing mechanism, and the actuator is aligned to alternately squeeze the tubular material against the base to pump fluid out of the chamber, and release the tubular material from the base to draw fluid into the chamber. A steam appliance incorporating a one-way tubular pump is also provided.