Method and apparatus of obtaining suction control over surface cleaning and scraping

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and two apparatuses enabling suction control over surface cleaning and scraping. Suction control is necessary so as to obtain good contact between a cleaning/scraping pad and the surface to be cleaned/scraped, thereby achieving efficiency. Also, suction control is required so as to collect debris falling off during the cleaning/scraping process, which may otherwise contaminate the environment. Suction control provides guidance for the movement of a cleaning/scraping pad sucked on the surface of an object. This implies convenience when cleaning/scraping over a large surface area is attempted. Suction action is generated by convecting away surrounding fluid, being either water or air, to produce local negative pressure at the pad position. The disclosed devices are most desirable in cleaning water containers, such as a fish tank or a swimming pool, as well as to collect dusts on scraping the surface of a mortar wall.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of obtaining suction control over surface cleaning and scraping, comprising: 
 A) setting up mechanical motion of a pad of a predetermined type sufficient to clean or scrape a spot on a surface,    B) setting up pumping action accompanying said mechanical motion of said pad of said predetermined type capable of convecting away surrounding fluid from a region local to said pad,    wherein by moving said pad of said predetermined type close to said spot on said surface intended to be cleaned or scraped, said pumping action results in a negative pressure near said spot on said surface, giving rise to a suction force pushing said pad toward said spot on said surface to form tight contact, thereby facilitating the process of cleaning or scraping said surface on said spot.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said surrounding fluid includes air, water, oil, or a mixture.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said predetermined type of said pad includes, abrasive pads, brush pads, pads with cutting edges, scrubbing pads, grinding pads, or a mixture, so long as they are permeable to the flow of said fluid.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein filter bag is used to collect said surrounding fluid convected away from said region local to said pad.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said surrounding fluid convected away from said region local to said pad is ejected in a predetermined direction inducing a traction force guiding said pad to move on said surface intended to be cleaned or scraped along a direction opposite to said predetermined direction.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said surrounding fluid convected away from said region local to said pad is ejected in the backward direction normal to said surface intended to be cleaned or scraped thereby reinforcing said suction force pushing said pad toward said spot on said surface to form an even tighter contact.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said surrounding fluid convected away from said region local to said pad is managed via valve controls so as to manipulate the ejection direction and amount of said fluid.  
     
     
         8 . A surface cleaning/scraping tool device capable of executing cleaning/scraping action on a surface, comprising: 
 (A) a pad of a predetermined type sufficient to rub or brush against said surface,    (B) a paddle network of a predetermined geometry sufficient to remove the surrounding fluid in the region local to said pad,    (C) an electric motor, being either an AC or a DC type, capable of inducing mechanical motion on said pad rubbing or brushing against said surface, and on said paddle network convecting away said surrounding fluid in said region local to said pad,    wherein, by controlling the speed of said electric motor, not only said mechanical motion of said pad is under control, giving rise to a friction force of a desired magnitude exerted by said pad rubbing against said surface, but also said peddle network generates a suction force also of a desired magnitude, pushing said pad onto said surface forming tight contact thereby facilitating the execution of said cleaning/scraping action.    
     
     
         9 . The surface cleaning/scraping tool device of  claim 8  wherein said surrounding fluid includes air, water, oil, or a mixture.  
     
     
         10 . The surface cleaning/scraping tool device of  claim 8  wherein said predetermined type of said pad includes, abrasive pads, brush pads, pads with cutting edges, scrubbing pads, grinding pads, or a mixture, so long as they are permeable to the flow of said fluid.  
     
     
         11 . The surface cleaning/scraping tool device of  claim 8  wherein filter bag is used to collect said surrounding fluid convected away from said region local to said pad.  
     
     
         12 . The surface cleaning/scraping tool device of  claim 8  wherein said surrounding fluid convected away from said region local to said pad is ejected in a predetermined direction inducing a traction force guiding said pad to move on said surface intended to be cleaned or scraped along a direction opposite to said predetermined direction.  
     
     
         13 . The surface cleaning/scraping tool device of  claim 8  wherein said surrounding fluid convected away from said region local to said pad is ejected in the backward direction normal to said surface intended to be cleaned or scraped thereby reinforcing said suction force pushing said pad toward said surface to form an even tighter contact.  
     
     
         14 . A surface cleaning/scraping tool device capable of executing cleaning/scraping action on a surface, comprising: 
 (A) a pad of a predetermined type sufficient to rub or brush against said surface,    (B) a paddle network of a predetermined geometry sufficient to remove the surrounding fluid in the region local to said pad,    (C) a manual mechanical setup in the form of cranks, gears, pulleys, belts, springs, and so forth, manipulated by hands capable of inducing mechanical motion on said pad rubbing or brushing against said surface, and on said paddle network convecting away said surrounding fluid in said region local to said pad,    wherein, by controlling the speed in manipulating said manual mechanical setup, not only said mechanical motion of said pad is under control, giving rise to a friction force of a desired magnitude exerted by said pad rubbing against said surface, but also said peddle network generates a suction force also of a desired magnitude, pushing said pad onto said surface forming tight contact thereby facilitating the execution of said cleaning/scraping action.    
     
     
         15 . The surface cleaning/scraping tool device of  claim 14  wherein said surrounding fluid includes air, water, oil, or a mixture.  
     
     
         16 . The surface cleaning/scraping tool device of  claim 14  wherein said predetermined type of said pad includes, abrasive pads, brush pads, pads with cutting edges, scrubbing pads, grinding pads, or a mixture, so long as they are permeable to the flow of said fluid.  
     
     
         17 . The surface cleaning/scraping tool device of  claim 14  wherein filter bag is used to collect said surrounding fluid convected away from said region local to said pad.  
     
     
         18 . The surface cleaning/scraping tool device of  claim 14  wherein said surrounding fluid convected away from said region local to said pad is ejected in a predetermined direction inducing a traction force guiding said pad to move on said surface intended to be cleaned or scraped along a direction opposite to said predetermined direction.  
     
     
         19 . The surface cleaning/scraping tool device of  claim 14  wherein said surrounding fluid convected away from said region local to said pad is ejected in the backward direction normal to said surface intended to be cleaned or scraped thereby reinforcing said suction force pushing said pad toward said surface to form an even tighter contact.