Brush Spray Nozzle Pivoting for Dust-Binding Floor Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor cleaning machines with pivotable brush elements and spray nozzles waste liquid when one nozzle is not effectively contributing to dust binding, as it is difficult to switch off manually or through additional machine control, leading to inefficient use of liquid for dust management.

Innovation Solution

A mechanically direction-controlled spray nozzle system where a single spray nozzle is positioned automatically based on the brush element's rotation direction due to frictional engagement with a ring section, ensuring effective liquid application to the area in contact with the brush elements, eliminating the need for a second nozzle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two or more spray nozzles are provided on the brush element to optimally moisten the work area depending on the direction of rotation, then the dust binding effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases and liquid is wasted when one nozzle is not effectively contributing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust binding effectivenessVSAvoidspray nozzle system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spray nozzle is made dynamically adjustable through a pivot arm that can change its orientation based on the brush element's rotation direction. The pivot arm rotates to align the single spray nozzle with the effective working area, replacing the need for multiple fixed nozzles and complex switching mechanisms while maintaining optimal dust binding effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A single spray nozzle is designed to perform multiple functions by being mounted on a pivot arm that allows it to serve different positions effectively. The same nozzle can effectively moisten the work area regardless of whether the brush element rotates in one direction or the other, eliminating the need for multiple specialized nozzles and reducing both complexity and liquid waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a lateral spray nozzle is not switched off when pointing out of the work area, then the device complexity remains simple, but liquid is wasted and dust binding effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespray control system complexityVSAvoidliquid waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The spray nozzle's orientation is dynamically adjusted through the pivot arm mechanism, which automatically repositions the nozzle to point only toward the effective work area. This mechanical dynamic adjustment eliminates liquid waste without requiring complex electronic control systems, achieving both simplicity and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spray nozzle system is self-regulating through the mechanical connection between the brush element's rotation and the pivot arm's orientation. The system automatically ensures the nozzle points in the correct direction based on the brush's rotation, eliminating the need for external control systems while preventing liquid waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of energy

If manual or machine control is added to switch off the lateral spray nozzle, then liquid waste is reduced, but the ease of operation decreases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid waste reductionVSAvoidoperator intervention requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spray nozzle system automatically adjusts its own orientation through the mechanical pivot arm connection to the brush element. The system self-regulates to prevent liquid waste without requiring any operator intervention or complex machine control systems, maintaining ease of operation while eliminating waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical linkage between the brush element's rotation and the pivot arm's orientation creates an automatic feedback mechanism. As the brush rotates, the pivot arm automatically repositions the spray nozzle to align with the effective work area, ensuring liquid is only applied where needed without manual control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 solution ensures efficient use of liquid for dust binding by automatically adjusting the spray nozzle's position with the brush element's direction of rotation, reducing waste and simplifying the machine's construction, allowing effective cleaning without operator intervention.

Implementation Method 1

a contact element being provided on the pivot arm which is held in frictional engagement with the upper side of the brush body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3192422B1Floor cleaning machine
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 HAKO GMBH
  • EP3192422B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3192422B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3192422B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5a

AI summary

Shown and described is a floor cleaning machine with a vehicle frame (3) on which a chassis (9) is provided for moving the floor cleaning machine (1) over a floor area (11) to be cleaned, with a holding arm (17), the holding arm (17 ) is movably supported with a first end (19) on the vehicle frame (3) so that a second end (21) extends away from the vehicle frame (3), with a brush element (41) having a brush body (43), from which one or more engagement elements (45) extend, the free ends (47) of which are arranged in a cleaning plane (49), the brush body (43) being rotatable about an axis of rotation (51) running perpendicular to the cleaning plane (49) on the second end (21) of the holding arm (17), the brush body (43) having a ring section (55) running around it in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (51), with a swivel arm (57) which has a first end (59) about a pivot axis e (63), which runs parallel to the axis of rotation (51), is pivotably mounted on the second end (21) of the holding arm (17) and which can be pivoted between a first and a second end position (69, 71) about the pivot axis (63). a spray nozzle (65) being provided on the second end (61) of the swivel arm (57) and a contact element (81)) being provided on the swivel arm (57) which bears against the annular section (55).