Compartmentalized Brush Core for Uniform Low-Water Wetting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wet floor cleaning devices face challenges in efficiently distributing a minimal amount of cleaning solution across a rotating brush to achieve a uniform wetting profile, making it difficult to maintain an economical and compact design.

Innovation Solution

A brush assembly with a hollow core compartmentalized into sections and pierced with outflow openings, combined with a fluid injector and drive mechanism, ensures even distribution of cleaning solution through centrifugal force, allowing for precise control over the wetting profile by configuring compartment size and outflow positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a minimal amount of cleaning solution is used, then water consumption is minimized and device size is reduced, but it becomes difficult to distribute the cleaning solution uniformly across the brush surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater consumptionVSAvoidwetting profile uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow core is divided into multiple compartments separated by partitions. Each compartment receives a portion of the cleaning solution and distributes it through dedicated outflow openings, ensuring uniform distribution across the brush surface even when total water quantity is minimal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the brush are provided with different numbers and positions of outflow openings based on local requirements. The compartmentalization allows each section to have tailored fluid distribution characteristics, optimizing wetting uniformity across the entire brush surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If cleaning solution is injected into a rotating hollow core, then the fluid can be distributed across the brush, but centrifugal force may cause uneven distribution without proper compartmentalization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidwetting profile control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Partitions divide the hollow core into compartments that control fluid flow paths. This segmentation prevents centrifugal force from causing chaotic distribution, instead guiding the fluid through controlled paths to achieve uniform wetting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partitions act as intermediaries between the injected cleaning solution and the brush surface. They mediate the fluid distribution by directing flow from injection points to specific outflow openings, ensuring even distribution despite rotational centrifugal forces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively minimizes water consumption while ensuring a uniform wetting profile across the brush, enhancing cleaning efficiency and allowing for a compact, ergonomic design.

Implementation Method 1

The centrifugal force that results from the rotational motion of the brush continually equalizes the fluid level in any given compartment, and ensures that virtually all of the liquid supplied to a compartment is quickly drained there from through one or more outflow openings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP2337475B1Fluid distributing brush assembly and method for operating the same
Publication Date: 2018.05.02 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP2337475B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2337475B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2337475B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a brush assembly suitable for use in a wet floor cleaning device. The brush assembly comprises a brush that includes a hollow core. An inner surface of the core is compartmentalized into a number of compartments. An outer surface of the core is furnished with brush material, and the core is pierced with a number of outflow openings. The brush assembly further comprises a first fluid injector for injecting a fluid into the core, and a drive mechanism configured for rotating the brush around an axis. Also disclosed is a method for operating the brush assembly.