Cleaning and care device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cleaning devices, including rotating brushes and high-pressure cleaners, are inadequate for effectively cleaning heavily soiled outdoor surfaces such as concrete, natural stone, and wooden terraces, as they struggle to penetrate uneven surfaces and often damage joints or fail to remove stubborn dirt and algae.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held cleaning device with a roller brush featuring a rotationally symmetrical cylinder with alternating bundles of bristles of different lengths and materials, allowing for deep penetration and gentle or intense cleaning depending on the surface, and interchangeable processing devices for joints and surfaces, driven by an electric motor with a gearbox for adjustable speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a high-pressure cleaner is used to clean joints, then joints and surfaces can be processed simultaneously, but joints are completely washed out by the water jet and dirt particles are stirred up and splash out

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidjoint damage and contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the high-pressure water jet (hydraulic system) with a mechanical rotating brush system. The brush mechanically agitates and removes dirt from joints through friction and scraping action, eliminating the harmful water jet that washes out joints and splashes dirt particles.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating brush acts as an intermediary between the cleaning device and the joint surface. Instead of directly applying high-pressure water that damages joints, the brush mediates the cleaning process by mechanically removing dirt through controlled contact, preventing both joint washout and dirt splashing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If rotating brushes with large surface area are used for surface processing, then surface cleaning is possible, but bristles cannot penetrate into uneven floors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning coverage areaVSAvoidpenetration capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cleaning brush into multiple independent bristle elements rather than using a single large continuous brush surface. This segmentation allows individual bristles to flex and penetrate into uneven floor surfaces while maintaining overall wide coverage, as each bristle can independently adapt to surface variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic flexibility to the brush system through spring-loaded or flexible bristle mounts that allow the brush to adapt its shape and penetration depth. This enables the brush to maintain contact with uneven surfaces across a wide area, with each section dynamically adjusting to local surface conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Weight of moving object

If hand-held cleaning devices with rotating brushes are used, then portability is improved, but cleaning of heavily soiled outdoor surfaces is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice portabilityVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal hand-held cleaning device that can handle multiple cleaning scenarios (light indoor cleaning and heavy outdoor cleaning) through interchangeable brush attachments. The device maintains portability while achieving heavy-duty cleaning capability by allowing users to swap between different brush types suited for different soil levels and surface conditions.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables parameter changes in the cleaning system through interchangeable brush attachments with varying bristle hardness, length, and density. This allows the same portable device to adapt its cleaning parameters for different applications, from soft indoor surfaces to heavily soiled outdoor concrete and stone, maintaining both portability and effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Speed

If high-speed rotating brushes (3000 rpm) are used for joint cleaning, then cleaning speed is improved, but gentle cleaning is not allowed and surface damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrush rotation speedVSAvoidsurface damage
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a variable speed control system that allows dynamic adjustment of brush rotation speed. Users can select high speeds (around 3000 rpm) for tough outdoor surfaces requiring aggressive cleaning, while switching to lower speeds for delicate surfaces requiring gentle cleaning, thus adapting the cleaning intensity to match the specific application requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different brush characteristics (bristle hardness, length, density) to different locations or attachments based on the surface being cleaned. Harder, stiffer bristles can be used for high-speed cleaning of concrete and stone, while softer, more flexible bristles are used for lower-speed cleaning of wooden decks and delicate surfaces, allowing localized optimization of cleaning quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 device provides effective cleaning of heavily soiled surfaces, including removing moss and algae, with reduced vibration and improved edge access, while maintaining surface integrity and allowing for both dry and wet cleaning methods.

Implementation Method 1

an electric motor with a gearbox for adjustable speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

A roller brush which has a rotationally symmetrical cylinder with a cylinder surface, wherein at least a first plurality of first bristle bundles with first bristles and a second plurality of second bristle bundles with second bristles are arranged on the cylinder surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

effective cleaning of heavily soiled surfaces, including removing moss and algae

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 4

an electric motor with a gearbox for adjustable speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear transmission: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP3169848B1Cleaning and care device
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 KRESS MARKUS
  • EP3169848B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3169848B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP3169848B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4c

AI summary

The invention relates to a roller brush, in particular for a cleaning and/or care device, preferably for floor covering in the form of tiles, natural, artificial, blocks of concrete or wood, with a rotationally symmetrical cylinder which comprises a cylinder surface. At least one first plurality of a first bundle of bristles with a first brush and a second plurality of a second bundle of bristles with a second brush is arranged on the cylinder surface. The invention is characterised in that the first bundle of bristles are different from the second bundle of bristles.