Washer-drier scrubbing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current washer-dryer machines suffer from significant dispersion of washing mixtures during operation, leading to water and detergent waste, incomplete collection of dirty water, poor cleaning quality, and increased maintenance costs due to the lack of a front and side containing and guiding system for the washing fluid, which results in inefficient cleaning and drying, especially in dusty or confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
A washer-drier scrubbing machine with a containing unit for front and lateral flows of the washing mixture directed towards a central operating brush, equipped with a directional guiding system and a rear floor wiper that does not protrude, utilizing compressed air to keep the detergent mixture within the track and a bi-helical brush for effective debris collection, allowing simultaneous sweeping, washing, and drying with reduced water and detergent consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If no front containing and guiding system is used for washing fluid, then the machine structure is simpler, but significant dispersion of washing mixture occurs on the ground leading to water and detergent waste
Solution Approach 1:
The containing system is divided into multiple functional elements: side containing walls (22, 23), rear containing wall (24), and front guiding means (21), each segment performing a specific containment function to collectively prevent washing mixture dispersion
Solution Approach 2:
The front guiding means (21) acts as an intermediary element that directs and channels the washing mixture flow between the side containing walls, preventing direct dispersion onto the ground while maintaining system simplicity
2Loss of substance
If counter-rotating cylindrical brushes with rubber straps are used, then the machine can clean floors, but excessive waste of washing mixture occurs on sides and rear leading to poor cleaning quality
Solution Approach 1:
The containing system provides localized control of washing mixture flow at different positions: side walls (22, 23) contain lateral flow, rear wall (24) prevents backward dispersion, and front guiding means (21) directs flow precisely to the operating brush area, ensuring washing mixture is applied only where needed for effective cleaning
3Ease of operation
If wide turning radiuses are used to avoid wet marks, then the machine can operate in confined spaces, but operating manoeuvrability is reduced and operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The containing and guiding system pre-prevents washing mixture dispersion during turning operations by maintaining flow containment within the track, eliminating the need for operators to perform wide turning radiuses and allowing tight, efficient maneuvers in confined spaces
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple passes are performed on dirty spots, then cleaning quality improves, but water and detergent consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The containing system provides visual and physical feedback by clearly defining the washing track boundaries, allowing operators to precisely control and overlap passes only where necessary, reducing redundant applications of washing mixture while ensuring complete coverage of dirty areas
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 machine achieves efficient and complete collection of washing mixture and dirt, reducing water and detergent usage by 50%, enabling effective cleaning and drying in confined spaces with reduced operation time and costs, while maintaining environmental sustainability by minimizing waste and dispersion.
Implementation Method 1
means in the form of diffusers of compressed air (7) directed towards the ground
Implementation Method 2
a front rotating roll brush (1) the peripheral surface of which is covered of spiked bristles (1')
Implementation Method 3
spiked bristles (1') facing upwards and converging from the L and R extremity edges towards its central symmetry axis
Implementation Method 4
a bi-helical brush (10) arranged in correspondence with the central symmetry axis (Y) of the roll brush (1)
Implementation Method 5
a suction unit (13) connected to a tank (12)
Data Source
AI summary
A washer-drier scrubbing machine comprises a rotating roll brush (1) the surface thereof covered of spiked bristles (1') facing upwards and towards the centre in the proximity of its front portion; it is covered by a structure (2) the lower edge thereof, extended downwards and in the proximity of the ground is provided with a "flap" (F) comprising some aligned openings (3) oriented and facing the floorings. At the sides of the casing (2) and facing the ground some sprayers (4) fed with water-detergent mixtures pumped from a tank (6) are aligned. In the proximity of the sprayers (4) there are arranged as many diffusers of compressed air (7) which prevents the sprayed washing mixture from expanding outside the outline of said structure (2) and from being conveyed only towards the openings (3) and towards the rotating brush (1), or only, and not beyond, on the track along which the washer-drier scrubbing machine proceeds. The dirty water collected by the roll (1) is sent to a tank (12) through: a separator (8) which retains the high consistency dirt, an intermediate container (9) comprising a bi-helical screw brush (10) converging to the centre and a suction duct (11). The compressed air feeding the diffusers (7) is produced by a fan (14) the suction inlet thereof, arranged inside a tank (15), sucks and collects the dirty water collected by a rear parabolic floor wiper (16).