Control apparatus for self-cleaning of floor scrubber, and floor scrubber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor scrubbers face inconvenience and inefficiency in self-cleaning operations, particularly when placed against a wall, and manual activation often results in wet hands and compromised functionality.

Innovation Solution

A control device with an excitation portion in the base portion and a sensing portion in the main machine portion that triggers self-cleaning based on a sensing signal, allowing activation via foot operation, eliminating the need for manual button pressing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a manual self-cleaning button is provided on the handle, then the floor scrubber can perform self-cleaning function, but the operation becomes inconvenient when placed against a wall and water may flow into the interior when pressed with wet hands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveself-cleaning operation convenienceVSAvoidfunctionality reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing system with a foot-operated pedal system. The pedal (512) is positioned at the rear end of the base portion, allowing users to activate self-cleaning by stepping on it with their foot rather than pressing a button with wet hands. This mechanical substitution eliminates the problem of water infiltration while maintaining the self-cleaning function.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a pedal as an intermediary between the user and the self-cleaning activation mechanism. Instead of direct hand-to-button contact, the foot acts as an intermediary to trigger the self-cleaning mode through the pedal, which then activates the control system. This intermediary mechanism prevents water from reaching the control interior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the self-cleaning button is placed on the handle for easy access, then manual operation is simplified, but operation becomes very inconvenient when the floor scrubber is placed against a corner of wall

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebutton accessibilityVSAvoidadaptability to different placement positions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the activation mechanism from the vertical dimension (handle at top) to the horizontal dimension (pedal at rear end of base). By positioning the pedal at the rear end of the base portion, it becomes accessible from the side even when the scrubber is placed against a wall, providing multi-directional accessibility that adapts to different placement positions.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The pedal design provides universal accessibility from multiple positions and angles. Whether the scrubber is placed against a wall, in a corner, or in an open space, the pedal at the rear end remains accessible to the user's foot, making the self-cleaning function adaptable to various placement scenarios.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4321078B1Control apparatus for self-cleaning of floor scrubber, and floor scrubber
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 JIANGSU MIDEA CLEANING APPLIANCES
  • EP4321078B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A control apparatus for self-cleaning of a floor scrubber, and a floor scrubber. The control apparatus for self-cleaning of the floor scrubber includes an excitation portion and a sensing portion (1021); the excitation portion is provided in a base portion (101) of the floor scrubber; the sensing portion (1021) is provided in a main machine portion (102) of the floor scrubber; the excitation portion is configured to transmit a sensing signal when being operated; and the sensing portion (1021) is configured to receive the sensing signal, and trigger the main machine portion (102) to perform a self-cleaning action when the sensing signal satisfies a predetermined condition.