Drive system for a floor cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wet floor cleaners with motor-driven rotating mopping rollers face challenges due to the need for compactness, which complicates the integration of on-board motors, cooling systems, and power transmission, and the risk of damage from impacts against skirting boards or furniture.
Innovation Solution
A drive system with a longitudinally disposed motor and cooling fan, featuring interlocking connector elements and a resiliently deformable material to absorb shocks, and a diffuser to optimize airflow, along with a gear arrangement for efficient power transmission and protection of the cooling fan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cleaner is made compact to improve manoeuvrability and storage, then ease of operation and storage are improved, but the integration of motors, cooling systems, and power transmission becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the motor, cooling fan, and power transmission components into a single integrated drive housing assembly. The motor and cooling fan are longitudinally disposed within the same housing, and the power transmission components are arranged within the same space, merging multiple functions into one compact unit that maintains ease of operation while reducing integration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the cooling fan within the motor housing space, and places the power transmission components within the same drive housing. The connector elements are nested within the longitudinal extent of the diffuser, making efficient use of available packaging space. This nesting arrangement achieves compactness without sacrificing functional integration.
2Ease of operation
If the cleaner is made compact to improve storage, then ease of storage is improved, but the integration of motors, cooling systems, and power transmission becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the motor, cooling fan, and power transmission components into a single integrated drive housing assembly. This merging of multiple systems into one compact unit improves storage ease while managing integration complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive connector is positioned within the longitudinal extent of the diffuser, and the cooling fan is nested within the motor housing space. This nesting arrangement achieves compactness for easy storage while organizing complex components in a structured manner.
3Power
If the motor and cooling fan are directly connected to improve power transmission efficiency, then power transmission efficiency is improved, but shock transmission to the fan increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a diffuser as an intermediary component between the motor and cooling fan. The diffuser houses the power transmission components and provides a cushioning effect that reduces shock transmission to the cooling fan while maintaining efficient power transmission through the interconnected gear system.
Solution Approach 2:
The resiliently deformable material in the connector elements provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing shocks and impacts before they can reach the cooling fan. This protective measure is built into the connection system to prevent damage while maintaining operational efficiency.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If resiliently deformable material is used in connector elements to absorb shocks, then protection from impacts is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the connector elements by using resiliently deformable material instead of rigid material. This parameter change allows the connectors to absorb shocks and impacts while maintaining acceptable manufacturing precision through the material's inherent flexibility and shock-absorbing properties.
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 system reduces shock transmission to the cooling fan, enhances airflow efficiency, and protects the fan from impacts, while maintaining compactness and mobility.
Implementation Method 1
the fan-side connector element and/or the motor-side connector element comprises a resiliently deformable material. This further helps to absorb the energy of any shocks or impacts experienced by the floor cleaner.
Implementation Method 2
The cooling fan may comprise a radial flow impeller.
Implementation Method 3
a diffuser located between the cooling fan and the motor to help evenly distribute the cooling air flow within the drive housing
Data Source
AI summary
A drive system for a floor cleaner includes a motor and a cooling fan longitudinally disposed with respect to one another within a longitudinally extending drive housing. The drive output of the motor is configured to drive the cooling fan via driveshaft and a drive connector which includes a fan-side connector element and a motor-side connector element. The fan-side connector element is configured to interlock with the motor-side connector element.