Patent Application
20240188785
The present invention relates generally to a system for heating cleaning solution used in a floor scrubbing machine.
Using hot water in a cleaning solution is widely accepted to enhance the process of cleaning.
The heat source of heated cleaning solutions industrial floor scrubbers is important since manufacturers have been unsuccessful in their attempts to heat the solution being applied to the floor during scrubbing. These methods include utilizing the heat from the exhaust system or by employing electric heaters on the machine. In all cases, it is difficult to design a heating system robust enough to heat the number of gallons per minute of solution required for the typical floor cleaning process. To be useful, the temperature of the solution must reach a threshold level without being too hot to enhance the cleaning process.
Accordingly, better solutions and methods are required to better heat the cleaning solution so it may be more effective during scrubbing.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a floor scrubber cleaning solution heating system. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
Embodiments of the present invention include a scrubbing machine having a heat exchanger, which is attached to or is integral with the engine cooling system, is used to heat the cleaning solution. Industrial floor cleaning machines typically include a cleaning solution reservoir or tank which holds a substantial amount of cleaning solution and a solution delivery system used to apply the solution in controlled amounts to the floor to be cleaned. The solution delivery system can be a gravity fed system or a pressurized system through the use of one or more pumps. One or more valves are typically used to turn on, turn off, and to control the amount of cleaning solution to the floor. Various methods are used to apply the solution to the floor. Scrubbers using one or more disk shaped scrub brushes typically deliver the solution to the center area of the brush and/or brushes. The scrub brushes move in a linear, rotational or orbital motion. Scrubbers equipped with cylindrical shaped scrub brushes typically employ a solution delivery tube with holes spaced in a specific pattern to apply an even amount of solution to the floor in front of the scrub brushes.
Skilled artisans will recognize that in a floor scrubber hydraulic system, the volume of hydraulic fluid far exceeds that of engine coolant in liquid-cooled engine systems. Unlike engine coolant, hydraulic fluid is generally not temperature-controlled by a thermostat. Instead, it is engineered to function at the maximum steady-state target hydraulic fluid temperature under peak working loads. Consequently, the designed configuration necessitates a prolonged duration to elevate the hydraulic fluid to its maximum temperature and hydraulic fluid is not a good choice in applications in heating a cleaning solution with a heat exchanger.
In contrast, the thermostat in a liquid-cooled engine is configured to fully bypass the engine coolant radiator when the coolant is below the minimum target temperature, typically 165° F. This operational feature enables the liquid, serving as the heat source for heating the cleaning solution, to rapidly attain elevated temperatures. As a result, the use of engine coolant in a liquid-cooled engine facilitates a more expeditious attainment of an effective hot cleaning solution early in the cleaning cycle, surpassing the concept of using hydraulic fluid to heat cleaning solution in a floor scrubber.
This difference is particularly pronounced when the hydraulic system that operates at minimum load, considering that hydraulic systems seldom operates at maximum hydraulic load. Moreover, the energy transferred using the engine coolant in a liquid-cooled engine far exceeds the energy required to heat the cleaning solution to temperatures close to that of the engine coolant. This surplus heat energy ensures that even during engine idle, there is ample thermal energy to efficiently heat the cleaning solution.
Typically, the ideal operating temperature for hydraulic fluid in hydraulic systems is 140° F. or below. In contrast, the temperature of engine coolant in a liquid-cooled engine system is regulated by a thermostat paired with a radiator, typically operating within the range of 165ºF to 190° F. and sometimes greater than 190° F. The viscosity of the engine coolant is typically less than that of the hydraulic fluid. These nuanced thermal characteristics collectively contribute to a more efficient and more consistent, solution heating system when utilizing engine coolant compared to hydraulic fluid in a floor scrubber equipped with an engine-driven hydraulic power system.
In use, a heated liquid such as a hot engine coolant leaving the cylinder wall jacket 205 is also directed toward a heat exchanger 215. Within the heat exchanger 215, a cleaning fluid from within a scrubber solution tank 217 is directed near and in close proximity to the hot coolant without mixing. The heat from the engine coolant is used to heat and/or increase the temperature of the cleaning solution though thermodynamics and/or heat transfer. Thereafter the heated cleaning solution can be pumped or otherwise directed to a scrub head on the scrubber so that it can be distributed on a floor for use in cleaning. Those skilled in the art will recognize the heated cleaning solution is much more effective in scrubbing dirt from a surface and provides a better overall cleaning result.
Thus, the present invention is directed to a floor scrubber cleaning system that includes a combustion engine powered floor scrubber using a radiator holding liquid coolant for use in cooling the engine. At least one rotating cleaning implement such as a scrubbing brush or cleaning pad is used for removing dirt from a floor where a holding tank holds cleaning solution sprayed onto a floor. Those skilled in the art will recognize the scrubbing brush typically moves in cylindrical orbital motion. Either a brush or pad will move in a manner so to be parallel with the floor surface. A pump then directs the cleaning solution to the rotating scrubbing brush(s)/pads and a heat exchanger is used for heating the cleaning solution such that the cleaning solution is directed from the holding tank though the heat exchanger where heat for the engine coolant is transferred to the cleaning solution before being applied to the floor.
In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63431441 | Dec 2022 | US |
