Adaptive Suction Shoe Suspension for Uneven Rotary Cleaning Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary cleaning machines are inefficient on irregular surfaces due to limited upward and downward movement of suction shoes, which fail to maintain contact with high points and penetrate low points, leading to reduced cleaning efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive suspension system comprising a hub ring with radially extending rigid and flexing arms, including X-shaped rigid arms and a biasing member like a coil spring, allowing for greater independent movement of suction shoes while maintaining positive pressure on the surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the arms of the star-shaped structure are made thick to support the machine weight, then the structural strength is improved, but the upward and downward movement range of suction shoes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension structure is divided into multiple rigid arms radially arranged around the hub ring, with each arm independently connected to suction shoes. This segmentation allows each arm to move independently, increasing the overall movement range while maintaining structural strength through the distributed rigid arm configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid arms are designed to rotate relative to the hub ring, transforming the static thick-arm structure into a dynamic system. This rotation capability allows the suction shoes to adapt to surface irregularities while the arms maintain sufficient thickness to support the machine weight, resolving the contradiction between strength and movement range.
2Reliability
If the star-shaped structure is made of metal to ensure durability, then the reliability is improved, but the susceptibility to fatigue at junction points increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the suspension structure have different material properties: rigid arms are made of metal for strength and durability, while flexing arms are made of flexible material to reduce stress concentration. This local quality differentiation allows the metal components to be optimized for reliability while the flexible components absorb fatigue stresses at junction points.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system combines metal rigid arms with flexible arm materials, creating a composite structure. The metal rigid arms provide structural strength and reliability, while the flexible arms reduce fatigue susceptibility at connection points by accommodating thermal expansion and mechanical stresses through their flexibility.
3Device complexity
If resilient biasing means with limited thickness are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the upward and downward mobility of suction shoes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is segmented into rigid arms and flexing arms, where the flexing arms provide the resilient biasing function. This segmentation allows the flexible arms to achieve greater movement range compared to conventional single-piece resilient elements, while maintaining relatively simple construction without complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid arms are designed to rotate relative to the hub ring, transforming the static thick-arm structure into a dynamic system. This rotation capability allows the suction shoes to adapt to surface irregularities while the arms maintain sufficient thickness to support the machine weight, resolving the contradiction between strength and movement range.
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 adaptive suspension enables enhanced upward and downward movement of suction shoes, improving cleaning efficiency on irregular surfaces by maintaining contact with both high and low points, thus enhancing the overall cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
Resilient biasing means, such as closed foam rubber cushions, are positioned between the rears of the suction shoes and the rotary disk, enabling the suction shoes to float individually relative to the rotary disk
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptive suspension for a rotary cleaning machine includes a hub ring configured to receive a hub member, a plurality of rigid arms that extend radially from the hub ring and each have a proximal end rotatably connected to the hub ring and a distal end configured to be rotatably connected to a suction shoe, and a plurality of flexing arms that extend radially from the hub ring and each have a proximal end rotatably connected to the hub ring at substantially the same angular position as a rigid arm and a distal end connected to the same rigid arm at a radial distance from the proximal end of the rigid arm. The adaptive suspension adapted for use in a rotary cleaning machine and enables independent upward and downward movements of the suction shoes over an uneven surface.