Wetting System Boost Mode for Fast Wet Cleaning Start-Up

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning devices experience a slow start-up during wet cleaning operations, especially when transitioning from a dry to a wet mode, which hampers 'grab-and-go' usage and user satisfaction.

Innovation Solution

The cleaning device incorporates a wetting system with a boost operation mode that increases the supply rate of cleaning liquid during start-up, determined by parameters such as inactivity time or battery charging status, allowing for quicker wetting of the cleaning element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the wetting system operates in normal mode, then energy consumption is reduced and cleaning liquid supply is moderate, but the start-up time for wet cleaning action is too long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestart-up timeVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wetting system dynamically adjusts its operation mode based on real-time conditions. The controller switches between normal operation mode and boost operation mode depending on whether the cleaning element is dry or already wet, optimizing both response time and energy consumption adaptively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the supply rate parameter of cleaning liquid based on operational needs. During boost operation mode, the supply rate is increased to quickly wet the cleaning element, while in normal mode the supply rate is reduced to conserve energy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the wetting system increases cleaning liquid supply rate immediately, then start-up time is reduced, but cleaning liquid consumption increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning speedVSAvoidcleaning liquid consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The boost operation mode applies excessive cleaning liquid supply temporarily during the critical start-up phase when the cleaning element is dry, but only for the duration necessary to achieve wetting, thereby achieving quick productivity without permanent excessive consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller monitors the wetness state of the cleaning element and adjusts the wetting system operation accordingly. When the cleaning element becomes sufficiently wet, the system automatically transitions from boost mode to normal mode, preventing excessive cleaning liquid consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4081090B1Determining a start-up operation mode of a wetting system of a cleaning device
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 VERSUNI HLDG BV
  • EP4081090B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A cleaning device (1) for cleaning a surface (2) comprises at least one cleaning element (11) and a wetting system (20) configured to supply a cleaning liquid to the at least one cleaning element (11), wherein the wetting system (20) is operable in one of at least one normal operation mode and a boost operation mode involving an increased supply rate of the cleaning liquid with respect to the at least one normal operation mode. During start-up of the cleaning device (1) in a wet cleaning mode thereof, a start-up operation mode of the wetting system (20) is determined to be one of the at least one normal operation mode or the boost operation mode on the basis of assessment of an actual value of at least one parameter that is indicative of whether or not the at least one cleaning element (11) is in a wet cleaning condition.