Wet Mop Module Drying Path for Moisture Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaners face issues with incomplete removal of foreign substances and microbial sterilization during wet cleaning, moisture contamination at the suction port, and bacterial growth in the dust bin due to moisture ingress.
Innovation Solution
A mop module with a drying path and blocker configuration that supplies high-temperature water or steam to the mop, using a diffuser to discharge moisture away from the suction port, and a drying path to evaporate moisture before it reaches the suction port, preventing contamination and bacterial growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a water tank and heater are disposed in the main body to enable steam supply, then sterilization and foreign substance removal effect is improved, but the weight of the cleaner increases and cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generation system is segmented into a separate steam mop module that can be detached from the main body. The water tank and heater are disposed in the steam mop module rather than the main body, allowing the module to be separated when not in use. This reduces the weight of the main cleaner while maintaining sterilization capability when the steam module is attached.
2Reliability
If moisture is supplied to the mop to enable wet cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but moisture may flow into the suction port causing contamination and bacterial growth
Solution Approach 1:
A diffuser is introduced as an intermediary component between the moisture supply and the suction port. The diffuser disperses moisture through multiple small holes, creating a diffuse moisture field that prevents direct moisture flow into the suction port. This mediator structure allows wet cleaning effectiveness while protecting the suction system from moisture contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser creates localized moisture distribution with different properties in different areas. Moisture is discharged through multiple small holes in a dispersed pattern, creating areas of high moisture concentration near the mop contact point while maintaining low moisture concentration near the suction port. This spatial variation in moisture quality enables effective cleaning without contamination.
3Reliability
If high-temperature water or steam is supplied to the mop, then sterilization and foreign substance removal effect is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of heating a large volume of water to high temperatures continuously, the system supplies high-temperature water or steam partially and intermittently only when the steam mop module is attached and needed. The heater operates at high power only during steam generation phases rather than continuously, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective sterilization when required.
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
Enhances sterilization and foreign substance removal by supplying high-temperature water or steam, prevents moisture and dust entanglement at the suction port, and blocks moisture from entering the dust bin, thereby reducing bacterial growth and decay.
Implementation Method 1
a heat generator configured to heat water supplied from the water tank
Implementation Method 2
a diffuser provided below the heat generator and configured to supply moisture heated in the heat generator to the mop
Implementation Method 3
A drying path through which air flows may be formed between the module housing and the diffuser housing
Data Source
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AI summary
The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a mop module of a cleaner that cleans by wiping foreign substances on the floor, and further including a drying path configured to supply dry external air between a moisture supply hole and a suction port, thereby blocking moisture discharged from the moisture supply hole configured to supply moisture to a mop from flowing into the suction port of the mop module and drying the moisture, and preventing the mop module itself and the dust bin of the cleaner body of the cleaner from being contaminated.