Apparatus for cleaning with a liquid container

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning devices for floors require external energy sources for heating and tempering cleaning liquids, leading to uncomfortable and expensive handling, as well as potential temperature drops and internal pressure issues due to steam generation.

Innovation Solution

A wireless cleaning device with a thermally insulated dispensing device and a heat accumulator that maintains the cleaning liquid at a desired temperature, using a heat accumulator to store and release heat independently of an external energy source, and an electrical resistance heater that can operate without cables, ensuring efficient heating and evaporation without high pressures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a cable-connected heating device is used to heat cleaning liquid, then heating function is achieved, but handling becomes uncomfortable and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning liquid temperatureVSAvoidhandling convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The heating device is extracted from the external cable-connected system and integrated into the portable cleaning device itself, allowing the heating function to be self-contained and mobile without requiring external power sources or cables during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning device performs its own heating function through an integrated heating element powered by an internal power source, eliminating the need for external service or cable connections during use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the cleaning device is made portable and wireless, then ease of operation improves, but energy supply for heating becomes problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidenergy supply for heating
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power source transitions from external mains power to an internal battery system, changing the energy supply parameters to enable portable wireless operation while maintaining heating capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated power source serves multiple functions: powering the heating element, the pump, and other electronic components of the portable cleaning device, consolidating energy supply needs into a single battery system

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

3Speed

If heating power is increased to heat cleaning liquid quickly, then heating speed improves, but internal pressure increases due to steam generation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating speedVSAvoidinternal pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

A temperature sensor continuously monitors the cleaning liquid temperature and provides feedback to the control unit, which adjusts the heating power accordingly to prevent excessive temperature rise and steam generation that would increase internal pressure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element is designed to provide sufficient but not excessive heating power, delivering enough heat to maintain cleaning liquid at effective temperatures without generating excessive steam that would dangerous internal pressure buildup

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Stability of the object's composition

If thermal insulation is added to prevent temperature drop, then temperature stability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Thermal insulation is pre-applied to the cleaning liquid container to prevent heat loss before temperature control issues arise, maintaining stable cleaning liquid temperature passively without requiring additional active temperature regulation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution allows for efficient, cable-free operation of the cleaning device, maintaining the cleaning liquid at a stable temperature and preventing undesirable temperature drops, while avoiding high internal pressures, thus enhancing user convenience and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

The dispensing device (3) is thermally insulated from the environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a heating device (4) for heating and/or tempering and/or evaporating the cleaning liquid (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

A heat accumulator could be assigned to the heating device, which stores the cleaning liquid alone or together with the heating device at a definable operating temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy storage: Thermal Energy Storage

Implementation Method 4

The heating device can be designed in such a way that it ensures that the cleaning liquid evaporates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3040009B1Apparatus for cleaning with a liquid container
Publication Date: 2021.11.03 CARL FREUDENBERG KG
  • EP3040009B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3040009B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3040009B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Cleaning device for cleaning floors and/or surfaces, comprising a container (1/1'/1"/1"') for holding a cleaning liquid (2), a dispensing device (3/3'/3"/3"') for Delivery of the cleaning liquid (2) to a floor and/or a surface to be cleaned, and a heating device (4/4'/4"/4"') for heating and/or tempering and/or evaporating the cleaning liquid (2). In order to supply the cleaning device with energy for heating and/or tempering and/or evaporating the cleaning liquid without any problems, it can be operated wirelessly.