Donut-Shaped Brush Surface Cleaner for Omnidirectional Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor sweeping devices are not flexible enough to navigate around objects effectively and often require complex transmission systems to operate multiple brush rollers.
Innovation Solution
A surface cleaning device with a donut-shaped, curved brush that rotates around a central axis, eliminating the need for additional transmission and allowing for omnidirectional cleaning without damaging surfaces, powered by an electric motor and optionally assisted by a low-airflow fan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple brush rollers are used to improve cleaning coverage, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases due to required transmission systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple brush functions into a single donut-shaped brush that rotates around a central axis. This single brush structure performs the cleaning function that would otherwise require multiple separate brush rollers and their associated transmission systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining cleaning coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The donut-shaped brush serves multiple functions simultaneously: it cleans surfaces, navigates around obstacles, and its flexible perimeter adapts to different cleaning scenarios. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate transmission mechanisms that would be required to coordinate multiple specialized brush rollers.
2Productivity
If rigid brush edges are used to improve cleaning effectiveness, then cleaning performance is improved, but surface damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The donut-shaped brush features long tufts at its outer perimeter that create a soft, flexible cleaning edge. This local quality change at the brush perimeter allows effective cleaning while preventing damage to surfaces and furniture, contrasting with rigid brush edges that would cause harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved, donut-shaped brush structure with its rounded perimeter naturally avoids sharp edges and corners. The curvature allows the brush to flex and adapt to surfaces, providing gentle contact that cleans effectively without concentrating force on small areas that could cause damage.
3Device complexity
If straight brush configuration is used to simplify structure, then device simplicity is improved, but navigation flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The donut-shaped brush's curved configuration around a central axis provides navigation flexibility that straight brushes cannot achieve. The circular form allows the device to easily navigate around obstacles and adapt to different floor layouts while maintaining a relatively simple single-brush structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible perimeter of the donut-shaped brush can dynamically adapt its shape as the device moves and encounters obstacles. This dynamic flexibility in the brush configuration enables versatile navigation without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
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
The device provides a flexible and efficient cleaning experience, capable of navigating around objects with ease, using minimal energy and avoiding the need for complex gear systems, while maintaining a soft perimeter to prevent damage to furniture.
Implementation Method 1
a surface cleaning device with at least one curved brush that, during a cleaning process, rotates around an axis parallel to the surface to be cleaned
Implementation Method 2
The surface cleaning device may further comprise a fan for generating an air flow that does not exceed 6 1/s
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning device comprises a brush (B) that is curved at least partially around a center part (CP) of the surface cleaning device, a deformability of the brush (B) determining a deformability of an outer circumference of the surface cleaning device. The brush (B) has a rotation axis (A), which is curved at least partially around the center part (CP) of the surface cleaning device. The rotation axis (A) is parallel to the surface. The brush (B) may be a donut-shaped brush (B) fully around the center part (CP) of the surface cleaning device. The surface cleaning device may have an electrical motor (M) for driving the brush (B). The center part (CP) may comprise a container (DC) for collecting dirt swept from the surface by the brush (B). The center part (CP) may have an edge (E) for bending the brush (B), dirt being released from the brush (B) at an end of the edge (E) where the brush (B) is relaxed. The center part (CP) may have an upper rim (R) for keeping the brush (B) at its position. A length of brush fibers from the rotation axis (A) of the brush (B) is preferably at least about 0.4, and more preferably at least about 0.6, times a radius of an undeformable core of the surface cleaning device. The surface cleaning device may further comprise a fan for generating an air flow that does not exceed 6 1/s, preferably 3 1/s, and more preferably 1.5 1/s.