Vacuum Squeegee Rear Blade Apertures for Uneven Floor Pickup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuumized squeegee assemblies struggle with effective liquid pickup on uneven and textured surfaces, leading to liquid pooling and splashing due to inadequate airflow and design limitations, which results in aesthetically displeasing puddles and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A squeegee assembly with a rear flexible blade featuring apertures to enhance airflow and prevent liquid pooling, combined with a suction tube and support structure that optimizes airflow dynamics, allowing for improved liquid collection and surface drying on rough and irregular surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional squeegee assemblies use standard blade design without apertures, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but liquid pooling occurs against the rear blade and airflow is insufficient to prevent splashing
Solution Approach 1:
The rear blade is designed with multiple apertures (e.g., 6 apertures of 0.25 inches diameter) distributed across its surface, transforming it from a solid impermeable structure to a porous configuration. This allows air to pass through the blade, preventing liquid pooling and improving airflow dynamics to eliminate splashing while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The rear blade is segmented into multiple functional zones through the strategic placement of apertures, creating distinct airflow channels and pressure zones. This segmentation allows different portions of the blade to perform specialized functions: some areas maintain sealing while others facilitate air passage, optimizing overall liquid pickup effectiveness
2Productivity
If the suction tube is positioned close to the rear blade to maximize suction, then liquid collection is improved, but liquid pools against the blade due to flow dynamics and causes splashing
Solution Approach 1:
The apertures in the rear blade act as intermediaries between the suction tube and the liquid film. Air flows through these aperture openings, creating a protective airflow barrier that prevents liquid from pooling against the blade while the suction tube maintains its optimal position for maximum liquid collection efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes pneumatic principles by introducing air flow through the apertures in the rear blade. This air flow creates pressure differential and airflow patterns that prevent liquid pooling and eliminate splashing, while the suction tube maintains optimal positioning for efficient liquid collection
3Adaptability or versatility
If the squeegee assembly is designed for smooth floors, then it performs ideally on level surfaces, but it fails to pick up liquid from depressions, grout lines, and textured surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow parameters are changed by introducing apertures in the rear blade, which alter the velocity distribution and pressure patterns within the squeegee assembly. This creates enhanced airflow that can penetrate into depressions and grout lines on uneven surfaces, enabling reliable liquid pickup across diverse surface types while maintaining performance on smooth floors
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 effectively minimizes liquid pooling and splashing, enhancing both the aesthetic and safety outcomes of floor cleaning by ensuring efficient liquid pickup and surface drying on various surface types.
Implementation Method 1
vacuumized squeegee assembly structured for attachment to a floor cleaning system and having improved pickup capabilities
Implementation Method 2
any liquid on the floor surface is exposed to, picked up, and carried by airflow in the squeegee assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A squeegee assembly for wiping a surface comprises a front flexible blade having an outer surface, an inner surface and a floor engaging edge, a rear flexible blade having an outer surface, an inner surface and a wiping edge, a support upon which the front and rear flexible blades are mounted, a vacuumized chamber bounded by the front blade, rear blade, support, and the surface, and a suction tube coupled to the support and positioned between the front and rear flexible blades. The rear flexible blade includes at least one aperture extending between the outer surface and the inner surface and spaced from the wiping edge.