Dual-Skirt Sweeper Assembly for Side Dusting Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surface maintenance machines face challenges in controlling adverse air currents and particulate accumulation due to reduced airflow, skirt mis-adjustment, or damage, leading to dusting issues at the side skirt assemblies during operation.
Innovation Solution
A skirt assembly with an inner and outer skirt configuration around the cleaning tool chamber, creating a vacuum passage in fluid communication with the vacuum system to direct airflow and prevent particulate accumulation, while the inner skirt is designed to prevent deflection and the outer skirt maintains clearance from the surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single row of skirts is used on the lateral sides and rear of the machine, then the structure is simple, but dusting occurs due to reduced airflow, air currents from the rotating broom, skirt mis-adjustment, or skirt damage
Solution Approach 1:
The single skirt assembly is segmented into an inner skirt and an outer skirt that are spaced apart to form a vacuum passage. This segmentation allows the creation of a dedicated vacuum pathway that isolates the airflow from broom-induced turbulence, thereby maintaining reliable particulate control while preserving structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If the outer skirt contacts the surface to improve sealing, then particulate control improves, but the inner skirt becomes prone to deflection and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The outer skirt acts as an intermediary that contacts the surface to provide sealing and prevent particulate escape, while the inner skirt remains elevated and protected from direct contact. This intermediary arrangement allows the sealing function to be performed without exposing the inner skirt to deflection and damage risks.
3Device complexity
If the vacuum system is positioned only at one location, then the system is simple, but airflow is insufficient to prevent particulate accumulation at distal portions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding more vacuum systems in different locations (horizontal dimension), the invention creates a three-dimensional vacuum passage between the inner and outer skirts. This vertical dimension allows vacuum airflow to circulate around the cleaning tool chamber, delivering sufficient airflow volume to distal portions without increasing system complexity.
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 dual-skirt assembly effectively controls particulate and reduces dusting at lateral and rear sides, improving airflow routing and maintaining efficiency even with lower vacuum capacity, allowing operation in higher winds without dusting.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum system for generating vacuum for drawing particulate swept by the rotary broom
Implementation Method 2
The skirt assembly has a vacuum passage defined therein and in fluid communication with the vacuum system to direct air flow into the vacuum passage, thereby drawing particulate into the vacuum passage
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include a floor surface maintenance machine, comprising a cleaning tool chamber comprising a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. A rotary broom is housed in the cleaning tool chamber and substantially enclosed by the first, second, third and fourth sides thereof. The rotary broom sweeps particulate from the surface. A vacuum system generates vacuum for drawing particulate swept by the rotary broom. The vacuum system is positioned proximal to the first side. A skirt assembly extends substantially around the second, third and fourth sides of the cleaning tool chamber. The skirt assembly has a vacuum passage defined therein and in fluid communication with the vacuum system to direct air flow into the vacuum passage, thereby drawing particulate into the vacuum passage and preventing particulate accumulation at portions of the second, third and fourth sides that are distal to the vacuum system.