Cleaning Nozzle Layout for Full-Width Wet Pickup in Tight Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices with rotating brushes and squeegee nozzles face challenges in efficiently cleaning the entire width of the nozzle, leaving unsatisfactory results, especially in narrow areas like corners, due to bulky designs and limited suction power, which restricts their ability to effectively remove liquid and dirt in both forward and backward strokes.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle arrangement featuring a rotating brush with flexible microfiber bristles, a squeegee element, and side sealing elements that distribute cleansing liquid across the width of the nozzle, allowing for effective dirt and liquid pickup and removal, even in areas where the brush does not directly extend, by creating gaps on the sides of the nozzle housing and using a vacuum aggregate for under-pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a double squeegee arrangement on both sides of the brush is used to clean the entire width of the nozzle, then cleaning coverage is improved, but the nozzle becomes bulky and loses liberty of action
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is segmented between the rotating brush (for stain removal) and the squeegee element (for liquid removal). The squeegee element is positioned only on one side of the brush, while the other side relies on the rotating brush to lift liquid, reducing overall nozzle bulk while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating brush serves dual functions: removing stains through agitation and lifting liquid from the floor through centrifugal force. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for squeegee elements on both sides of the brush, reducing nozzle bulk while maintaining full-width cleaning capability.
2Reliability
If the nozzle housing is larger than the brush to provide sealing, then sealing is improved, but the cleaned strip becomes smaller than the nozzle width
Solution Approach 1:
The squeegee element is positioned in the longitudinal direction along one side of the brush, extending parallel to the brush axis. This longitudinal positioning allows the squeegee to clean the lateral sides of the nozzle housing, ensuring the cleaned area matches the nozzle width without requiring the brush to extend beyond the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the nozzle serve different functions: the central brush area handles stain removal and liquid lifting, while the squeegee element positioned on one side specifically handles liquid removal from lateral areas. This localized functional distribution ensures complete coverage of the nozzle width.
3Power
If stiff brush hairs are used for scrubbing stains, then scrubbing effect is improved, but liquid lifting capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brush hairs are designed with specific physical parameters: a core element made of foam or plastic with a specific gravity less than water, allowing the brush to float and effectively lift liquid. The brush elements have a length of 5-15mm and are arranged at specific densities to balance scrubbing power and liquid lifting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The squeegee element acts as an intermediary that specifically handles liquid removal from the floor surface. While the rotating brush provides scrubbing action and initial liquid lifting, the squeegee element completes the liquid removal process, allowing the use of stiffer brush hairs for better scrubbing without compromising overall liquid lifting performance.
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 configuration enables efficient cleaning over the entire width of the nozzle, ensuring uniform wetting and drying without leaving unsatisfactory strips, improving cleaning performance and usability in tight spaces with reduced vacuum power requirements.
Implementation Method 1
flexible brush elements that are arranged on a circumferential surface of the core element, wherein said brush elements are configured to contact the surface to be cleaned and pick up dirt and liquid particles from the surface to be cleaned during a rotation of the rotating brush
Implementation Method 2
flexible microfiber bristles
Implementation Method 3
a vacuum aggregate for generating an under-pressure in a suction-area between the nozzle housing and the rotating brush
Implementation Method 4
the drive is adapted to realize a centrifugal acceleration at the tip portions of the brush elements which is, in particular during a dirt release period when the brush elements are free from contact to the surface during rotation of the brush, at least 3,000 m/s2
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~6b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a nozzle arrangement (10) of a cleaning device (100) for cleaning a surface (20), comprising: - a nozzle housing (28); - a rotating brush (12) that is rotatable about a brush axis (14) and comprises a substantially cylindrical core element (52) with flexible brush elements (16) that are arranged on a circumferential surface (56) of the core element (52), wherein said brush elements (16) are configured to contact the surface to be cleaned (20) and pick up dirt and liquid particles (22, 24) from the surface to be cleaned (20) during a rotation of the rotating brush (12); - a drive for driving the rotating brush (12); - a liquid supplying arrangement (58) for supplying a cleansing liquid (68) to the rotating brush (12); - a wiping element (32) for wiping dirt and liquid particles (22, 24) across or off the surface to be cleaned (20), wherein said wiping element (32) extends along a longitudinal direction (48), which is arranged substantially parallel to the brush axis (14), and wherein said wiping element (32) is arranged on a first longitudinal side (27) of the rotating brush (12) where the brush elements (16) enter the nozzle housing (28) during the rotation of the rotating brush (12); and - at least one side sealing element (62a, b) for sealing a lateral side (82a, b) of the nozzle housing (28), wherein the at least one side sealing element (62a, b) is spaced apart from a transverse side (80a, b) of the core element (52) that is transverse to the circumferential surface (56) of the core element (52), such that a gap (84a, b) is defined between said transverse side (80a, b) of the core element (52) and the at least one side sealing element (62a, b); wherein the liquid supplying arrangement (58) is configured to also supply cleansing liquid (68) to said gap (84a, b).