Vacuum pump and airways

The vacuum pump is the main component that allows the vacuum mop to create a suction
mechanism. In order to create a vacuum space in the bottom container for the cleaning action to
occur, the position of the airways is crucial to allow the air to flow in a way that will not obstruct
the debris from entering the bottom container. In this case, the control of the airflow is done by
creating a single loop of airflow to make sure air vacuuming and air releasing are carried out in a
specific place. Figure X shows the airflow and the channels involved for the vacuum process to
occur.

In order to vacuum the dirty water and debris on the floor surface, the vacuum is designed to
carry out suction from the square opening of the cover of the bottom container (part 4).

Cover with sensor for the bottom container

The main role of this component is to direct the suction airway from the bottom container to the
vacuum pump. The air goes in via the rectangular opening and goes out of the square opening
that holds a layer of sponge that filters the incoming dust before returning the air to the vacuum
pump. In the meantime, the cover has a ring of silicon rubber to ensure the air does not escape
when it is attached to the bottom container during the vacuuming process.

As there will be a constant flow of dirty fluids into the container, a water sensor attached to the
cover will ensure the dirty water will not overflow from the container. When the water level
exceeds the threshold of the water level sensor, the sensor will send signals to the main circuit
board via a conduction surface to terminate the vacuuming action

In order to create a vacuum space in the bottom container for the cleaning action to occur, the
position of the airways is crucial to allow the air to flow in a way that will not obstruct the debris
from entering the bottom container. In this case, the control of the airflow is done by creating a
singular channel for the air suction to occur. In the meantime, the cover has a ring of silicon
rubber to ensure the air does not escape when it is attached to the bottom container during the
vacuuming process.
As there will be a constant flow of dirty fluids into the container, a water sensor attached to the
cover will ensure the dirty water will not overflow from the container. When the water level
exceeds the threshold of the water level sensor, the sensor will send signals to the main circuit
board via a conduction surface to terminate the vacuuming action.
Apart from that, a protection cover that consists of 1.5cm thickness sponge is used to protect the
exposed vacuum pump from the overwhelming dust that enters the container.

Bottom container
The bottom container is designed to have a cylindrical channel in the middle that goes through
the bottom of the container. The main function of this is to allow the entry of the vacuumed
debris coming from the roller brush.
Power on
Handle (Part 1)  Main circuit board (Part 7)

Handle
The handle of the vacuum mop not only provides a place for the user to grip on while using the
vacuum cleaner, but it also situates different control buttons for the user to turn on and off the
vacuum mop. The buttons are connected to a small circuit board that is situated within the casing
of the handle. The small circuit board is then connected to a larger circuit board situated at the
main body of the vacuum cleaner where it processes the signals and transmits to other
components such as the motor, air pump and water pump to initiate the cleaning process.

The casing of the handle is separated into 2 parts. The first part of the casing comprises the main
body of the handle. In order to enhance the strength of the casing, the triangular extrusions are
designed to make the entire part sturdier and to create higher resistance to large external forces.
Both casings are connected to each other by having male and female grooves and mountings on
opposite side of each casing. The connection of both casings is further enforced by a pair of
mechanical locks to secure the casings in place.

Wetting process
Container for clean water (Part 3)  Water pump (Part 17)  Cover with water channel for
bottom part (Part 14)  Motor (Part 13)

Container for clean water (Part 3)

The upper transparent container is used to store clean water for the wet mopping function. After
the user has filled up the container with clean water via the opening, the container is attached to
the body of the vacuum mop via the hooks that are linked to a press-and-hold button (with spring
system). The press-and-hold button enables the hooks to temporarily detach from the casing to
remove or attach the container to or from the vacuum cleaner. Besides that, the extruded part at
the back of the container fits snugly into the slot on the front vacuum casing. This further
enhances the stability of the container when it is attached to the vacuum mop.

To allow continuous water flow to the roller brush, there is a tiny hole at the back of the
container to ensure the air pressure within the container is the same as the environment when
water is going out of the bottom hole. This prevents water from being trapped inside the
container due to low air pressure within the container. In order to prevent the water from leaking
out from the bottom opening when it is attached to the vacuum cleaner, a spring mechanism is
designed to ensure the opening is closed when it is not connected to the extruded part of the
vacuum mop casing that is built in the attachment for middle part (Part 10).

Water pump (Part 17)

Although gravity allows water from the container for clean water (Part 3) to flow down to the
bottom part of the vacuum mop, it is insufficient to wet the roller brush in an efficient manner.
Therefore, one end of the tube is connected to the attachment for middle part (Part 10) and the
container for clean water (Part 3); while the other end is connected to the water pump. This
design is to allow the water pump to increase the velocity of the water to be sprayed to the roller
brush.

Cover with water channel for bottom part (Part 14)

The main function of this component is to distribute water from the water pump to the roller
brush. Bernoulli's principle is implemented in the part design as tiny water channels allow water
to flow at a higher speed, further increase the efficiency of the water spraying system.
Figure X shows the direction of the water flow from the water pump (Part 17) to cover with
water channel for bottom part (Part 14).

Besides that, the press-and-hold button in this component allow this part to be removed when the
user need to take out the roller brush that is enclosed by this component (Part 14) and the bottom
casings (Part 15 and 16).

Motor (Part 13)

Once the vacuum is turned on, an electrical signal will transmit to the motor to initiate the
rotation of the motor. The main function of the motor rotation is to allow the roller brush to spin
during the cleaning process in order to swipe the dust into the dust channel effectively.

Surface contact and cleaning

Roller brush (Part 12)  Metal scraper in cover with water channel for bottom part (Part 14) and
Rubber scraper in lower casing for bottom part (Part 15)

Roller brush (Part 12)

As the main function of the roller brush is to sweep debris into the vacuum as well as wipe off
the dirty liquids on the floor surface, the surface of the roller brush is covered with coarse fabric
to facilitate both cleaning actions.
One end of the roller brush is designed to have a male and female attachment to the motor (Part
13) while the other side is connected to the free rotational attachment. Since the free rotational
attachment does not have any motion restrictions, this allows the roller brush to rotate when the
motor starts moving.

Metal scraper in cover with water channel for bottom part (Part 14)
During the wetting and mopping process, the roller brush will be soaked with both clean and
dirty water. In this case, the metal scraper that is situated in the cover with water channel for
bottom part (Part 14) is used to scrape the saturated brush and direct the dirty remnants into the
suction channel. This mechanism dries out the roller brush which enables it to be soaked with
clean water for further cleaning action.

Rubber scraper in lower casing for bottom part (Part 15)

Suction process
Suction channel (Part 15 and 16)  Container for dust and dirty water (Part 4)  Water level
sensor and cover (Part 5)  Vacuum pump (Part 6)
Suction channel (Part 15 and 16)
The suction channel is made out of both upper casing for bottom part (Part 15) and lower casing
for bottom part (Part 16). Once the roller brush starts sweeping dirty debris into the vacuum
cleaner, the suction channel creates a pathway to guide the dirty debris to enter the container for
dust and dirty water (Part 4).

Container for dust and dirty water (Part 4)

This container is designed to have a cylindrical channel in the middle that goes through the
bottom of the container. The slanted design and additional extruded geometry at the bottom part
of the container allow the container to fit snugly to the casing as well as aligned to the suction
channel. As the base of the container is directly in contact with the suction channel once it is
installed into the vacuum cleaner, it creates an efficient flow for debris and dirty liquid to enter
the container.

It is important to note that the cylindrical channel in the container is extruded as long as 14.5cm.
This is to ensure the debris and dirty liquid are trapped inside the container especially during the
cleaning process while the entire vacuum cleaner is moving. In order to clean out the container
for dust and dirty water, the user can remove the top cover (Part 5) to pour out the dirty material.

***Water level sensor is lower than the cylinder in part 4

The main function of this is to allow the entry of the vacuumed debris coming from the roller
brush.

Wheels
There are two distinct sets of wheels on this vacuum mop. One tiny pair of wheels is placed at
the bottom of the lower casing for the bottom section (Part 16), while the bigger pair is attached
at the rear of (Part 16). The huge pair of wheels serve as the vacuum mop's primary rolling
mechanism while the small wheels are used to reduce the friction between the floor and the
vacuum mop while it is being maneuverer around.

Casing