Cleaning Head Tilting Joint for Stable Two-Surface Floor Contact

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor cleaning devices are not optimized for effective pressure distribution and user comfort, leading to increased physical effort and potential instability during use.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a tilting system between the cleaning head and articulation, allowing the articulation to move between two positions for improved force application and stability, reducing user effort and tilting risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the articulation is positioned away from the center of the cleaning head, then the device structure is simpler, but the pressure distribution becomes non-uniform and user effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser effortVSAvoidarticulation positioning mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The articulation axis is made movable relative to the cleaning head surfaces through a tilting system, allowing it to dynamically reposition between a first position (when first surface contacts ground) and a second position (when second surface contacts ground). This dynamic positioning optimizes pressure distribution and reduces user effort while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A tilting system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the cleaning head and the articulation, enabling the articulation axis to tilt and reposition. This intermediary system facilitates smooth transitions between cleaning surfaces while maintaining optimal force application points, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the articulation is fixed in one position, then the device structure is simpler, but stability decreases and unexpected tilting may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning head stabilityVSAvoidarticulation positioning mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The articulation axis dynamically adjusts its position relative to the cleaning head through the tilting system, moving to the appropriate position depending on which surface contacts the ground. This dynamic adaptation prevents unexpected tilting and maintains stability without requiring a complex fixed positioning mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The position parameter of the articulation axis is changed based on the operational state (which surface is contacting the ground). The tilting system enables this parameter change, allowing the articulation to maintain optimal stability characteristics for each cleaning surface while avoiding the complexity of multiple fixed positioning systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the articulation does not tilt between surfaces, then the device structure is simpler, but the transition between cleaning surfaces becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransition between surfacesVSAvoidtilting system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tilting system enables the articulation axis to dynamically tilt between a first position and a second position as the cleaning head transitions between cleaning surfaces. This dynamic tilting motion facilitates smooth and easy transitions between surfaces while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tilting system introduces an additional degree of freedom (tilting motion) to the articulation mechanism. This dimensional change allows the articulation axis to reposition itself in space, enabling easy transitions between cleaning surfaces without requiring complex multi-axis positioning systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enhances homogeneous pressure distribution, reduces physical effort, and improves stability and ease of use by positioning the force closer to the center of contact, facilitating smoother transitions between cleaning surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

the tilting system guides the joint in rotation around a tilting axis substantially parallel to the transverse direction between the first position and the second position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Data Source

PatentEP2853186B1Device including a cleaning head and a system for pivoting between two surfaces
Publication Date: 2016.08.24 CONCEPT MICROFIBER
  • EP2853186B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2853186B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2853186B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Device (100) for cleaning a surface, in particular a floor (7), comprising: - a cleaning head (1) comprising at least a first surface (2) and a second surface (3) having an angular offset (α) relative to each other around a transverse direction (Y), - an articulation (10) comprising a first articulation part (11) and a second articulation part (12) movable one by relative to the other in rotation around an articulation axis (A) substantially parallel to the transverse direction (Y), and - a tilting system (20), interposed between the cleaning head (1) and the joint (10), and adapted to move said joint (10) between a first position near the first surface and a second position near the second surface.