Floor Cleaning Head With Self-Adjusting Tool Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Floor cleaning machines experience a reduction in sweeping performance due to wear of cleaning tools over time, leading to a loss of engagement and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning head design with first and second cleaning tools that are supported by a cleaning tool support, allowing for relative movement of their horizontal axes within a plane transverse to their axes, maintaining close proximity and engagement even as the tools wear, through the use of motors, actuators, and sensors to adjust their positions automatically during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cleaning tools are used continuously for floor cleaning operations, then productivity is improved, but the cleaning tools wear over time causing loss of engagement and reduction in sweeping performance
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning tool support enables the cleaning tools to move dynamically within a plane transverse to their horizontal axes, allowing automatic adjustment of their relative positions to maintain engagement as they wear. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by preserving reliability (engagement) while enabling continuous operation (productivity).
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the positions of the cleaning tools and automatically adjusts their relative positions through the cleaning tool support, enabling self-adjustment without manual intervention. This self-service mechanism maintains engagement (reliability) throughout the tool's service life, supporting continuous productivity.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If cleaning tools are allowed to wear naturally, then duration of action is improved, but manufacturing precision is lost as the tools shrink and lose engagement
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors continuously monitor the positions of the cleaning tools and provide feedback to the control system, which automatically adjusts the relative positions of the tools through the cleaning tool support. This feedback mechanism compensates for wear-induced dimensional changes, maintaining engagement precision (manufacturing precision) throughout the extended service life (duration of action).
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the relative position parameters of the cleaning tools dynamically to compensate for wear. By adjusting the positions within the plane transverse to the horizontal axes, the system maintains the original engagement geometry despite dimensional changes in the tools, preserving manufacturing precision over extended duration of action.
3Reliability
If manual adjustments are made frequently to maintain engagement, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to frequent interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment of the cleaning tools' relative positions automatically through sensors and the cleaning tool support mechanism, eliminating the need for manual interventions. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability (engagement) continuously without time loss to manual adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor-based feedback system continuously monitors tool positions and automatically triggers adjustments when engagement is compromised, maintaining reliability without requiring operator intervention or causing time loss. The system responds autonomously to maintain optimal engagement throughout operation.
4Reliability
If the cleaning tools are made more durable to resist wear, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning tool support introduces dynamic adjustment capability that allows the system to maintain engagement through automated position changes rather than requiring overly durable (and complex) static tool designs. This dynamic approach achieves reliability through adaptability rather than through increased tool durability, managing overall system complexity effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning head for use with a floor cleaning machine comprises first and second cleaning tools, at least one motor and a cleaning tool support. The at least one motor is configured to respectively drive rotation of the first and second cleaning tools about first and second horizontal axes. The first and second cleaning tools each have an exterior cleaning surface configured to engage the floor during floor cleaning operations. The cleaning tool support is configured to support the first and second cleaning tools for movement of the first and second horizontal axes relative to each other in a plane that is transverse to the first and second horizontal axes. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a floor cleaning machine that includes embodiments of the cleaning head.