Cleaning unit for a suction head

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction head cleaning units face challenges in providing a simple, economical structure that ensures reliable locking of the cap body and easy, ergonomic removal of the rotating brush.

Innovation Solution

The cleaning unit incorporates a rotating brush and a closing cap with a gripping member that moves axially away from the cap body, allowing for easy and ergonomic removal of the rotating brush by promoting a firm grip when moving the gripping member to the second position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the gripping member is configured to be manipulated by the tips of two or three fingers, then the structure is simple, but the grip is not firm and ergonomic, making it difficult to remove the rotating brush

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of grippingVSAvoidgripping member structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping member is configured to move axially along the axis of rotation of the rotating brush, adding a translational degree of freedom to the traditional rotational operation. This dimensional change allows the user to grip the member firmly with fingers while the axial movement provides mechanical advantage for unlocking, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and ergonomic grip

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

2Reliability

If the locking members are movable relative to the cap body between locking and unlocking positions, then reliable locking is achieved, but the mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidlocking means structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking members are designed to be movable relative to the cap body, transitioning between locking and unlocking positions based on the operational state. This dynamic configuration allows the system to maintain reliability through secure locking when needed while simplifying the overall structure by eliminating the need for separate locking and unlocking mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the gripping member moves axially away from the cap body during operation, then easy and ergonomic removal is facilitated, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of removalVSAvoidgripping member movement mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping member combines multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both the user interface for operation and the mechanical actuator for unlocking. The axial movement of the gripping member is directly coupled to the locking members, merging the gripping function with the unlocking function and eliminating the need for separate mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4563053A1Cleaning unit for a suction head
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 SEB SA
  • EP4563053A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4563053A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4563053A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The cleaning unit (11) comprises a rotating brush (12) configured to be removably mounted in a suction chamber of a suction head (2), and a closing cap (16) configured to close a passage opening (13) provided on the suction head (2) and through which the rotating brush (12) is adapted to be removed from the suction chamber. The closing cap (16) comprises a cap body (17); a locking member (18) movable between locking and unlocking positions; and a gripping member (27) configured to move the locking member (18) from the locking position to the unlocking position and to move axially away from the cap body (17) upon movement of the gripping member (27) from a first position to a second position.