Arrangement with a round brush

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foot washing devices are not suitable for individuals with physical disabilities, and they often cause excessive stress on the brush and limit accessibility to hard-to-reach areas of the foot.

Innovation Solution

A rotary-driven round brush mounted on a support with a U-shaped bracket, allowing easy access from multiple angles, and a water-driven motor with a slip clutch for safety, integrated with a container for soap and disinfectant, and a pedal-operated shut-off valve for convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the round brush is mounted to project freely from the wall without additional components, then the device complexity is reduced, but the accessibility to hard-to-reach areas of the foot (toes, instep, heel) is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility to foot areasVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into functional zones: the round brush for general cleaning, the bracket with opening for toe and instep access, and the support structure for heel access. This segmentation allows each component to address specific hard-to-reach areas while maintaining overall system simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket introduces a new spatial dimension by creating an opening that allows the brush to access the toes and instep from above, while the support structure provides access from below. This multi-dimensional approach enables comprehensive foot cleaning without adding complex mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the round brush is positioned to allow access to toes and instep, then the accessibility is improved, but excessive stress is placed on the brush itself

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility to foot areasVSAvoidbrush stress resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket acts as an intermediary structure that supports the foot during cleaning. By providing a platform for the foot to rest on, the bracket bears the mechanical stress instead of transferring it directly to the round brush, thereby protecting the brush while enabling access to difficult-to-reach areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the round brush is driven by a hydraulic motor with water exiting laterally through openings, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the water supply to the brush is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidwater supply reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow shaft is nested within the motor housing, with water supply channels integrated into the shaft structure. Water is supplied through the hollow shaft and distributed radially through openings in the shaft wall, ensuring reliable water supply to the brush while maintaining a compact, easily manufactured design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 independent foot washing for disabled individuals, ensuring thorough cleaning of all foot areas without damage, with easy installation and maintenance options.

Implementation Method 1

a water-driven turbine (12) arranged on a support (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater turbine: Turbine

Implementation Method 2

The water-driven motor has a slip clutch for safety

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSlip clutch: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4178404B1Arrangement with a round brush
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 STRASSER KARL WERNER
  • EP4178404B1 patent drawingFigure 1~10
  • EP4178404B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4178404B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement (1) for cleaning floors having a round brush (2) driven in rotation. The rotary drive (12), operated with water, is arranged on a carrier (3) formed as a housing (4). Water exits in the region of the shaft of the round brush (2) from the rotary drive (12) to the round brush (2). A U-shaped bracket (7) is secured to the housing (4) and is arranged above the round brush (2) such that the upper region of the round brush (2) protrudes through the bracket (7). The supply of water to the rotary drive (12) is controlled by a shut-off valve (3) which is actuated with the aid of a pedal (31). The pedal (31) is arranged between a foot part (11) of the housing (4) and the round brush (2).