Battery-Powered Brush Nozzle for Stairs and Upholstery Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-held cleaning devices with turbine powered agitators lack sufficient power to effectively clean stairs and upholstery, and auxiliary motors in these devices are impractical due to the expense and wear and tear on electrical hoses, especially when used with liquids.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held cleaning device with a battery-powered DC motor and drive assembly that rotates brushes, providing oscillating motion for improved cleaning efficiency without the need for an electrified hose, featuring a nozzle base connected to a vacuum source and including a motor, drive shaft, and brushes with axes perpendicular to the nozzle base for enhanced cleaning capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If turbine powered agitators are used in hand-held cleaning devices, then the device can be operated without auxiliary motors, but the cleaning power is insufficient for stairs and upholstery
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is divided into separate functional modules: a battery-powered motor unit attached to the nozzle base, and a separate vacuum source. This segmentation allows the motor to be positioned close to the brushes for direct power delivery without requiring long electrical hoses, thereby increasing cleaning power while avoiding the complexity of electrified hoses.
Solution Approach 2:
A mechanical drive shaft serves as an intermediary component, transmitting rotational power directly from the battery-powered motor to the brush assembly. This mechanical transmission eliminates the need for complex electrical connections through hoses, providing sufficient power for tough cleaning surfaces like stairs and upholstery.
2Power
If auxiliary motors with electrified hoses are used to power brushes, then cleaning power is increased, but the hose becomes expensive and prone to wear and electrical shorts
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical power source (battery) is extracted from the remote vacuum source and placed directly in the hand-held nozzle base. This eliminates the electrified hose entirely, removing the source of wear, tear, and electrical short risks while maintaining reliable power delivery to the motor and brushes.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand-held cleaning device becomes self-powered through the integrated battery and motor system. The device serves its own power needs locally without requiring a vulnerable electrical connection through a hose, thereby improving reliability and eliminating the weak link in the system.
3Ease of operation
If electrified hoses are used to power auxiliary motors, then brush rotation is achieved, but the cost and wear on the hose increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the expensive, durable-but-complex electrified hose with a simple, inexpensive battery compartment and short internal wiring. The battery and motor assembly can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, reducing both initial manufacturing costs and long-term maintenance expenses.
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 battery-powered cleaning device provides effective cleaning on stairs and upholstery with reduced wear and tear on components, offering better cleaning results than turbine-powered devices while avoiding the drawbacks of auxiliary motors and electrical hoses.
Implementation Method 1
A battery is located in the elongated nozzle base
Implementation Method 2
A DC motor is located in the elongated nozzle base and is electrically connected to the battery
Implementation Method 3
The second end is releasably connected to a hand-held suction wand of an associated vacuum source
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a hand-held cleaning device including an elongated nozzle base having opposed first and second ends and a longitudinal axis. The second end is releasably connected to a hand-held suction wand of a vacuum source. The longitudinal axis of the elongated nozzle base is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the wand. A battery is located in the elongated nozzle base. A DC motor is located in the elongated nozzle base and is electrically connected to the battery. The motor has an axially rotated output drive shaft. A drive assembly is connected to the drive shaft for rotation therewith. A first brush is located at the first end of the elongated nozzle base and is connected to the drive assembly.