Agitator Brush Auto-Extension Using Cam-Driven Reciprocating Shaft
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning units with agitators struggle to effectively clean carpets due to the suction nozzle module being spaced apart from the carpet surface, resulting in reduced cleaning performance, and require manual adjustment of the brush length, which is inconvenient and unsanitary.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning unit with a rotating brush that automatically adjusts its rotation radius by a reciprocating shaft mechanism, allowing the brush to extend its reach without manual contact with dust, using a cam structure to convert longitudinal movement into rotational movement, and a sensor-controlled power module to adjust the brush length based on the floor environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the suction nozzle module is spaced apart from the carpet surface, then the cleaner can operate on the floor environment, but the brush or rubber plate of the agitator does not reach the surface of the carpet, thereby decreasing cleaning performance
Solution Approach 1:
The brush length is made dynamically adjustable through a cam mechanism. The cam profile allows the brush to automatically extend or retract based on the floor surface height, enabling the brush to reach carpet surfaces while maintaining proper spacing for hard floors. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between adaptability to different floor environments and reliable cleaning performance.
2Reliability
If the length of the brush or rubber plate of the agitator is extended to reach carpet surface, then cleaning performance on carpet improves, but the user has to manually separate and reassemble the brush into different grooves, causing time loss and sanitary issues
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism enables the brush length adjustment to occur automatically without user intervention. As the suction nozzle module moves vertically to adapt to different floor surfaces, the cam profile automatically drives the brush to extend or retract to the appropriate length. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for manual brush replacement, resolving the contradiction between cleaning performance and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment system (user separating and reassembling brushes into different grooves) is replaced with an automatic cam-driven mechanical system. The cam mechanism converts the vertical motion of the suction nozzle into automatic brush length adjustment, eliminating the need for manual intervention and associated sanitary issues.
3Reliability
If manual adjustment of brush length is implemented, then cleaning performance on different surfaces can be optimized, but user has to touch dust accumulated in the agitator, creating sanitary problems
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs brush length adjustment automatically through the cam mechanism without requiring user contact with the brush or dust. The suction nozzle module's vertical motion automatically drives the cam, which in turn adjusts the brush length. This eliminates the need for users to touch dust-contaminated components, resolving the contradiction between optimized cleaning performance and sanitary conditions.
4Ease of operation
If automatic adjustment of brush length is implemented, then user convenience and hygiene are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex electronic sensor-controlled adjustment systems are replaced with a simple cam mechanism. The cam profile, designed with appropriate geometry, automatically converts the vertical motion of the suction nozzle module into brush length adjustment. This mechanical substitution achieves automatic adjustment functionality while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism serves multiple functions: it guides the vertical motion of the suction nozzle module, converts this motion into rotational motion for brush adjustment, and automatically sets the brush length according to the floor surface height. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate adjustment mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining automatic adjustment capabilities.
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 cleaning unit maintains effective cleaning performance across various floor environments without manual intervention, ensuring cleanliness and convenience by automatically adjusting the brush length to reach surfaces, such as carpets, while preventing contact with dust.
Implementation Method 1
a cam structure to convert longitudinal movement into rotational movement
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
The present invention provides a cleaning unit, comprising: a columnar body part having a rotation guide opening formed on the outer circumferential surface thereof; a shaft installed to reciprocate a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction thereof in a hollow formed in the body part; a drive part that protrudes from the shaft in the radial direction thereof; a brush part that has one side installed on the outer circumferential surface of the body part along the longitudinal direction thereof and rotates on the basis of the one side as a rotation axis; and a driven part that extends from the brush part toward the drive part, passes through the rotation guide opening, and is inserted into a rotation guide groove formed in the drive part. The rotation guide groove extends at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the shaft, and as the shaft reciprocates, the driven part is guided to rotate by means of the rotation guide groove, and the brush is rotated by means of the rotation of the driven part. The cleaning unit may include a robot cleaner or a cleaner operated by means of a user's operation.