Wet Cleaning Head with Roller-Assisted Liquid Suction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning heads for wet cleaning of floor surfaces, particularly on textile floor coverings, suffer from superficial application of cleaning agents and high residual moisture due to inefficient absorption and suction mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning head with a rotating cleaning roller and a suction chamber design that includes a rectangular opening on the bottom side, where the suction opening is adjacent to the roller chamber and delimited by a sealing lip, allowing for effective mechanical distribution and absorption of cleaning agents, along with adjustable suction mouth edges and a pivoting roller chamber for adapting to different floor surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a spray extraction process is used with suction openings in front of and behind the cleaning covering, then the cleaning agent can be applied and removed, but the cleaning agent is only applied superficially and high residual moisture remains on the floor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning agent usageVSAvoidcleaning effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning head is divided into distinct functional zones: a wet cleaning zone with the cleaning roller for mechanical incorporation of cleaning agent, and a separate suction zone with suction openings for removing excess liquid. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the wet cleaning function (cleaning roller with cleaning agent application) and the suction function (suction openings for liquid removal) into a single integrated cleaning head. The cleaning roller and suction openings work together in close proximity to achieve both mechanical cleaning and moisture removal in one pass.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If a large opening is provided in the roller chamber for suction, then more air flow is available, but the absorption of liquid is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flowVSAvoidliquid absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The suction opening is positioned specifically adjacent to the roller chamber where the cleaning roller rotates, creating a localized suction zone that directly captures liquid and dirt particles at their source. The sealing lip further localizes the suction effect to ensure efficient liquid absorption in this critical area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing lip acts as an intermediary element between the roller chamber and the suction opening. It directs the air flow and liquid-dirt mixture from the roller chamber into the suction opening, enhancing the efficiency of liquid absorption while maintaining the necessary air flow for productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If brush rollers are used for intensive brushing, then cleaning agent dosage can be reduced, but the device complexity increases and no suction is provided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning agent dosageVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning head is designed to be universal, capable of effectively cleaning both textile floor coverings and smooth floors. The combination of the cleaning roller for mechanical action and the suction system for liquid removal provides multi-functionality, allowing the same device to handle different floor types and cleaning requirements without requiring separate specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This design ensures thorough mechanical contact with the floor, reduces cleaning agent usage, enhances dirt pickup, and improves drying by optimizing air flow and suction efficiency, making it suitable for both textile and smooth floors.

Implementation Method 1

a suction unit which can be connected to the suction nozzle (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

at least one rotatingly driven cleaning roller (7) arranged in a roller chamber (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical distribution: Brush

Implementation Method 3

The suction opening (4) is delimited by a sealing lip (11) on its longitudinal side facing away from the opening (8) of the roller chamber (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow direction: Flow Separation

Data Source

PatentEP2721988B1Cleaner head for a cleaning appliance for wet cleaning of floor surfaces
Publication Date: 2017.09.06 WESSEL WERK
  • EP2721988B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2721988B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2721988B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The head has a suction nozzle (2) for fixedly or pivotally connecting a suction unit with a housing (1). A dispensing device (3) dispenses a cleaning agent, and a slot-shaped suction opening (4) is formed at an underside of the housing for sucking the cleaning agent from a floor area. A suction chamber (5) is equipped with a rolling chamber (6), in which a propelled cleaning roller (7) is arranged. The suction opening extends along a floor-side aperture of the rolling chamber and is limited at a longitudinal side facing away from the aperture by a sealing lip (11) i.e. semi-rigid rubber lip.