Wet/Dry Cleaner Self-Flushing Tool Design to Prevent Odor Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaning devices struggle with effectively removing debris and preventing odor buildup in the cleaning tools and recovery lines, particularly in wet/dry cleaners.
Innovation Solution
A wet/dry cleaner design featuring a supply tank, recovery tank, and cleaning tool connected by a flexible conduit, with a tool cleaner that removes adhered debris and fluid from the cleaning tool and recovery line during a cleanout operation, utilizing sensors and a controller for automated cleanout initiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cleaning fluid is applied to surfaces and recovered, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but debris accumulates in the cleaning tool and recovery line causing odor buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary cleanout action by flushing the cleaning tool and recovery line with fresh cleaning fluid before debris can accumulate to problematic levels. The controller automatically initiates this preliminary flushing operation based on sensor detection, preventing odor buildup before it occurs rather than addressing it after the fact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful effect of debris accumulation into a beneficial automatic trigger mechanism. Sensors detect the presence of debris in the recovery line, and this detection triggers the beneficial automatic cleanout operation that flushes the system with fresh cleaning fluid, transforming the harmful debris presence into a useful automated maintenance trigger.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If manual cleaning of the cleaning tool is required, then debris removal is possible, but user effort and time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system performs self-service by automatically flushing its own components (cleaning tool and recovery line) with cleaning fluid. The sensor detects debris accumulation and triggers the pump to deliver fresh cleaning fluid through the system, enabling the apparatus to clean itself without requiring user disassembly or manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical cleaning operations with an automated fluid-based cleaning system. Instead of requiring users to physically disassemble and clean components, the pump-driven cleaning fluid automatically flows through the cleaning tool and recovery line, substituting mechanical user effort with automated hydraulic action.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the cleaning tool is flushed with cleaning fluid, then debris is removed, but cleaning fluid consumption is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback control where sensors continuously monitor the recovery line for debris presence and provide information to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to determine when flushing is necessary, initiating cleanout operations only when debris is detected rather than continuously, thereby optimizing cleaning fluid consumption based on actual system conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of cleaning fluid delivery by switching between normal cleaning mode and cleanout mode. During cleanout, the pump delivers cleaning fluid at higher flow rates through the cleaning tool and recovery line to effectively flush debris, then returns to normal operation, thereby using increased fluid consumption only when necessary for debris removal.
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 design efficiently removes debris and prevents odor buildup in the cleaning tool and recovery line, enhancing the cleaning process by ensuring effective fluid management and maintaining cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
the suction motor is configured to draw cleaning fluid through the tank duct and into the cleaning tool
Data Source
AI summary
A wet/dry cleaner may include a supply tank configured to receive a cleaning fluid, a recovery tank, a cleaning tool having a suction inlet, a flexible conduit configured to fluidly couple the cleaning tool to the supply tank and the recovery tank, and a tool cleaner coupled to the supply tank, the tool cleaner being configured to cooperate with the cleaning tool to draw the cleaning fluid from the supply tank and into the cleaning tool.