Adjustable Brush Cleaner With Central Worm-Shaft Drive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning devices lack versatility and adaptability to different cleaning tasks, particularly in adjusting distances between cleaning elements and requiring complex constructions with direct interaction between drive sources and each cleaning element.

Innovation Solution

A portable cleaning device with a central drive system using a worm shaft that interacts with gear wheels, allowing adjustable cleaning elements and modular design for interchangeable modules, driven by various sources including fluid, electric, pneumatic, or vacuum, decoupling adjustment and fluid supply for enhanced flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a direct drive interaction is used between drive sources and each cleaning element, then each cleaning element can be driven independently, but the construction becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent drive of cleaning elementsVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device is divided into modular cleaning elements that can be independently adjusted and positioned along the common shaft, allowing each element to function independently while sharing the common drive mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The common shaft serves multiple functions: it acts as the drive transmission element for all cleaning elements, provides a mounting structure for adjustable positioning, and enables synchronized operation of multiple cleaning elements through a single drive source

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If cleaning elements are fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the device lacks adaptability to different cleaning tasks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different cleaning tasksVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning elements are designed with adjustable positioning along the common shaft, allowing their distances to be dynamically changed according to different cleaning requirements, transforming a static structure into a dynamic, adaptable system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Each cleaning element can be independently positioned at specific locations along the shaft, allowing local optimization of cleaning coverage for different areas or surfaces being cleaned

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If adjustment mechanisms are added to change distances between cleaning elements, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of cleaning elementsVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism is merged with the common shaft structure itself, using the shaft as both the drive element and the positioning reference, thereby combining multiple functions into a single structural element rather than adding separate adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables adaptable cleaning for various surfaces, simplifies construction by eliminating direct drive interactions, and allows for 'dry' or 'wet' operation modes, improving cleaning efficiency and versatility.

Implementation Method 1

The drive can comprise an impeller or turbine wheel which is acted upon by an incoming fluid in order in this way to be rotated and thus to rotate the shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid acting on impeller/turbine wheel: Turbine

Data Source

PatentEP2147625B1Cleaning device
Publication Date: 2013.04.17 JAGER ANTON
  • EP2147625B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2147625B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2147625B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a cleaning device, in particular a portable hand cleaner, which can be supplied with a working fluid and which has a plurality of, in particular brush-like, cleaning elements which can be driven to perform a cleaning movement, the cleaning elements being adjustable relative to one another.