Cleaning Brush Tool Interface With Multi-Position Latching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interchangeable-tool machine interfaces for cleaning brushes are limited in their connection flexibility, durability, and user comfort, leading to wear and tear and reduced usability.
Innovation Solution
The interface design features centering and latching walls that are angularly offset and mirror-symmetric, allowing multiple connection positions and torque transmission, with a drive interface having twice the rotational symmetry of the output interface, enhancing security and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drive interface and output interface are designed with multiple angular connection positions, then user comfort and ease of operation are improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional centering and latching walls
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into separate centering walls and latching-means walls that are angularly offset from each other. This segmentation allows the interface to achieve multiple angular connection positions (improving ease of operation) while keeping each individual wall element relatively simple in structure (mitigating device complexity). The centering walls provide positioning functionality and the latching-means walls provide securing functionality, with each set of walls being simpler than a unified complex structure would be.
2Manufacturing precision
If the centering walls and latching-means walls are formed separately, then manufacturing precision is improved for each component, but the device complexity increases due to additional parts
Solution Approach 1:
The centering walls and latching-means walls are formed as separate components rather than as a single integrated structure. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured with higher precision using optimized processes (improving manufacturing precision), while the modular nature of the separate components actually reduces overall device complexity by allowing independent manufacturing and assembly (mitigating device complexity).
Solution Approach 2:
The drive interface is designed with centering and mating latching-means walls that can correspond to both the centering walls and latching-means walls of the output interface. This multi-functional design allows the same structural elements to serve multiple purposes (improving manufacturing precision through standardized components) while reducing the need for additional specialized parts (mitigating device complexity).
3Reliability
If the drive interface has twice the rotational symmetry of the output interface, then reliability and security of connection are improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional latching walls
Solution Approach 1:
The drive interface is designed with twice the rotational symmetry (e.g., 4-fold symmetry) compared to the output interface (e.g., 2-fold symmetry). This intentional asymmetry in the symmetry order allows the drive interface to engage with the output interface at multiple angular positions, providing redundant latching points that improve reliability and security of connection. The asymmetric design actually reduces complexity by using a standard化的 multi-symmetry approach rather than requiring multiple different specialized components.
4Ease of operation
If the latching connection is designed to be releasable by exceeding a force threshold, then ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of the connection during normal use may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The latching-means walls are designed to be resiliently displaceable, allowing dynamic response to applied forces. During normal operation, the resilient nature of the walls maintains a secure locked position (ensuring reliability). When a sufficient force threshold is applied, the walls can displace and release the latching connection (ensuring ease of operation). This dynamic design allows the same structure to provide both stable locking and easy release functionality.
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
This design provides a secure, high-torque connection with increased comfort and durability, allowing intuitive use and reducing wear, thus extending the life of the tool-changing interface.
Implementation Method 1
the output interface has centering walls and resiliently displaceable latching-means walls
Implementation Method 2
The drive interface and output interface are intended to be connectable by latching and are provided for torque transmission
Data Source
AI summary
An interchangeable-tool machine interface for a cleaning brush, includes a drive interface and output interface that are separable and connectable without tools and are separable or connectable in several discrete angular positions by axial displacement along a common axis of rotation. The output interface has centering walls and resiliently displaceable latching-means walls, the centering walls and the resiliently displaceable latching means walls are arranged so as to be angularly offset from one another in the circumferential direction about the axis of rotation. The drive interface has centering and mating latching-means walls that are arranged so as to be angularly offset from one another in the circumferential direction about the axis of rotation and, per wall, are designed to correspond both to the centering walls and to the latching means walls of the output interface.