Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner Drying Phase to Reduce Limescale Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cleaning devices, such as wet/dry vacuum cleaners, face issues with residual liquid remaining in the inlet and outlet nozzles due to capillary effects, leading to limescale buildup and frequent descaling requirements, which can damage the device and reduce functionality.
Innovation Solution
A device cleaning mode is introduced, where the pump operates in a rinsing phase to remove liquid from the tank, followed by a drying phase using compressed air to dry the nozzles, reducing calcification and extending maintenance intervals, with the option for a descaling mode using a descaling agent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the outlet nozzle diameter is reduced to build up sufficient spraying pressure, then the liquid spray performance is improved, but capillary effects cause residual liquid to remain in the inlet line and outlet nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The control device initiates a drying phase after the rinsing phase, where compressed air is supplied through the inlet line to the outlet nozzle to remove residual liquid before it can dry and form limescale deposits. This preliminary action prevents the harmful effect of residual liquid remaining in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary effects that cause residual liquid to remain are converted into a benefit by using compressed air flow to exploit the same narrow passages to blow out the residual liquid. The drying phase transforms the problematic capillary retention into a controlled drying process that prevents limescale formation.
2Reliability
If residual liquid remains in the inlet line and outlet nozzle, then limescale residues form and close the outlet nozzle, but frequent descaling increases maintenance time and device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The control device automatically executes a drying phase after each rinsing phase, continuously removing residual liquid to prevent limescale formation. This continuous preventive action eliminates the need for frequent manual descaling interventions, maintaining outlet nozzle functionality while minimizing maintenance time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs its own maintenance by automatically executing the drying phase to remove residual liquid and prevent limescale deposits. The control device manages the entire process without user intervention, making the device self-maintaining and reducing both maintenance time and operational complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the inlet line is not vented, then residual liquid remains after switching off, but adding venting or drying mechanisms increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The control device utilizes the existing pump and air supply system to perform both the primary cleaning function and the maintenance drying function. The same pump that conveys liquid during rinsing is used to convey compressed air during the drying phase, making the system multi-functional without adding separate dedicated components for maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The rinsing phase and drying phase are merged into a single automated maintenance cycle controlled by the control device. The transition from liquid rinsing to air drying is seamlessly integrated, combining multiple functions (liquid conveyance, air conveyance, automatic control) into one unified system that reduces overall device complexity.
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 cleaning mode significantly reduces the risk of premature calcification, saves time and effort in maintenance, and extends the intervals between descaling, ensuring the device's longevity and usability.
Implementation Method 1
a pump (8) for conveying liquid from the fresh water tank (6) to the outlet nozzle (10)
Implementation Method 2
The thin cross-section of the outlet nozzle creates additional capillary effects, which in turn ensure that liquid remains in the inlet line and at the outlet openings after the cleaning device is switched off
Implementation Method 3
in a drying phase compressed air through the supply line and the at least one outlet nozzle is pumped
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning device (1) comprising a fresh water tank (6), at least one outlet nozzle (10), a liquid inlet (9) between the fresh water tank (6) and the at least one outlet nozzle (10), a pump (8) for conveying liquid from the fresh water tank (6) to the outlet nozzle (10), and a control device (13) for controlling the cleaning device (1) in a cleaning mode. Here, "cleaning devices" refers in particular to wet/dry vacuum cleaners. Known cleaning devices (1) tend to become calcified too quickly due to residual liquid, especially in the outlet nozzles and the inlet lines. Therefore, these cleaning devices require frequent maintenance.In order to provide a cleaning device that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages in a simple and cost-effective manner, it is provided that the cleaning device (1) furthermore has a device cleaning mode, and the control device (13) is further designed in such a way that, in the device cleaning mode, the pump (8) is first operated in a rinsing phase to pump liquid from the fresh water tank (6) and subsequently, in a drying phase, compressed air is pumped through the inlet line (9) and the at least one outlet nozzle (10) in such a way that at least the one outlet nozzle (10) is dried of liquid.