Cantilever Arm Pressure Control for Floor Cleaning Pads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional floor cleaning machines face challenges in maintaining consistent pad pressure due to factors like wear, voltage fluctuations, and floor surface conditions, leading to potential damage or inadequate polishing.

Innovation Solution

A pressure regulation system using a cantilevered arm with a sensor and actuator that adjusts the cleaning implement's pressure by sensing deformation and returning it to a predetermined range, ensuring consistent contact force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the pad pressure is increased to improve polishing effect, then the polishing quality improves, but the risk of floor damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolishing qualityVSAvoidfloor damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors pad pressure using a load cell and provides feedback to the controller, which automatically adjusts the scrubbing assembly pressure via the actuator to maintain pressure within the predetermined range, preventing both excessive pressure (floor damage) and insufficient pressure (poor polishing)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure regulation system automatically monitors and adjusts pad pressure without operator intervention, using the load cell feedback and actuator mechanism to self-regulate pressure within the optimal range, eliminating the need for manual pressure adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the pad pressure is decreased to prevent floor damage, then the safety improves, but the polishing effect becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefloor damage preventionVSAvoidpolishing effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The load cell continuously measures pad pressure and feeds this information to the controller, which activates the actuator to maintain pressure within the predetermined range, ensuring sufficient polishing effect while preventing floor damage through automatic pressure regulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the pressure parameter by actuating the actuator based on load cell feedback, changing the pressure from static to dynamically controlled within a predetermined range, optimizing both polishing effect and floor protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If conventional pressure regulation methods are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pressure consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregulation system simplicityVSAvoidpressure consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a load cell to continuously monitor pad pressure and provides feedback to the controller, which automatically adjusts pressure via the actuator, maintaining consistent pressure within the predetermined range despite variations in pad wear, battery voltage, or floor surface conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical pressure regulation mechanisms with an automated system combining load cell sensing, electronic control, and actuator actuation, substituting manual or purely mechanical regulation with an automated feedback-controlled system for superior pressure consistency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system maintains optimal pressure between the cleaning implement and the floor, preventing damage from excessive or inadequate force, thereby enhancing the quality of the polishing process.

Implementation Method 1

A flexible cantilevered arm is coupled between the frame of the floor cleaning machine and the floor cleaning implements. The flexible cantilevered arm is adapted to elastically deform when the pressure between the floor cleaning implement and the floor is other than a predetermined amount.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A sensor is coupled to the cantilevered arm to sense or measure deformation of the cantilevered arm.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation sensing: Deformation

Implementation Method 3

An actuator is coupled between the cantilevered arm and cleaning implements. The actuator is also coupled to the sensor and adapted to receive signals from the sensor to cause actuation of the actuator.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP1983876B1A device and method for adjusting the pressure between a floor cleaning implement and a floor
Publication Date: 2012.11.07 DIVERSEY INC
  • EP1983876B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1983876B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP1983876B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A device and method for regulating the pressure between a floor cleaning implement (22) and a floor, wherein the floor cleaning implement (22) is coupled to a floor cleaning machine (10). The device of one embodiment comprises a cantilevered arm (28) coupled to the floor cleaning machine (10) and a sensor (30) coupled to the cantilevered arm (28) and positioned to sense deflection or other deformation of the cantilevered arm (28). An actuator (26) is coupled between the cantilevered arm (28) and cleaning implements (22) . The actuator (26) is also coupled to the sensor (30) and adapted to receive signals from the sensor (30) to cause actuation of the actuator (26). When pressure other than a predetermined amount causes the cantilevered arm (28) to deform, the sensor (30) senses this deformation and cause the actuator (26) to actuate in a direction that allows the cantilevered arm (28) to return to a position in which the pressure is within the predetermined amount.