Wet cleaning device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wet cleaning devices, such as robot vacuum cleaners, face a contradiction in needing to apply sufficient pressure for effective mopping while maintaining a low weight to facilitate easy handling, as excessive weight compromises their portability.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a suction tool, such as a hose with controllable airflow, around the mopping unit to generate under-pressure, allowing the mopping unit to adhere to the surface without increasing the device's overall weight, utilizing the vacuum cleaner's airflow to enhance suction power based on stain detection, speed, and surface type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the wet cleaning device is made heavier to apply sufficient pressure on the surface for effective mopping, then the cleaning performance is improved, but the portability and ease of handling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the vacuum cleaner's suction airflow (pneumatic system) to generate under-pressure around the mopping unit, causing the mop to adhere to the surface. This pneumatic mechanism provides the necessary pressing force without adding weight to the device, resolving the contradiction between cleaning pressure and portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mopping unit utilizes the vacuum cleaner's own suction airflow to generate the pressing force needed for effective mopping. The system serves itself by using its vacuum function to create the under-pressure that adheres the mop to the surface, eliminating the need for additional weight or separate pressing mechanisms.
2Productivity
If the suction power is increased to improve mopping pressure, then the cleaning efficiency is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum cleaner's suction airflow serves multiple functions: it powers the vacuum cleaning operation and simultaneously generates the under-pressure for the mopping unit. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve effective mopping pressure without requiring additional energy input or a separate suction source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs sensors to detect surface type and stain presence, dynamically adjusting the suction power parameters. By adapting the suction level to actual cleaning needs, the system maintains high cleaning efficiency while minimizing energy consumption, avoiding unnecessary high-power operation on already clean or hard surfaces.
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 solution enables increased pressure on the surface during mopping, improving cleaning efficiency while maintaining the device's lightweight and portable nature, reducing energy consumption and enhancing the ability to handle various surfaces and obstacles.
Implementation Method 1
an arrangement for increasing a pressure of the mopping unit to the surface by means of suction
Implementation Method 2
generate under-pressure, allowing the mopping unit to adhere to the surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A wet cleaning device (WCD) comprises a mopping unit (MU) for wet cleaning a surface, and an arrangement (ST) for increasing a pressure of the mopping unit (MU) to the surface by means of suction. The arrangement includes a hose at a side of the mopping unit (MU), the hose having an opening for applying suction to the surface. The hose may be present at opposite sides of the mopping unit (MU). Alternatively, the hose may be present around the mopping unit (MU). Preferably, a suction power of the arrangement is controllable. Advantageously, the suction power is controllable in dependence on a detection of stains, a speed of the wet cleaning device (WCD), and/or a type of the surface. If the wet cleaning device (WCD) is formed by a mopping robot vacuum cleaner, the suction for the arrangement (ST) is advantageously a part of a suction generated for vacuum cleaning.