Elastic-Clamped Suction Foot for Tool-Free Squeegee Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing squeegee arrangements for floor cleaning machines require significant manual force and often tools to secure the suction base, and are prone to damage during collisions with obstacles, complicating tool-free operation and ensuring consistent contact with uneven floors.
Innovation Solution
A suction foot arrangement with a base and parallel suction lips, a pivotable suction cup holder, and elastic clamping elements that allow tool-free attachment and automatic release when excessive forces are applied, preventing damage from collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If grip screws are used to attach the squeegee to the machine, then the squeegee can be securely fastened, but significant manual force and often tools are required for tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional screw-based mechanical fastening system with a spring-loaded clamping mechanism. The clamping elements with resilient arms engage with corresponding receptacles to secure the squeegee base, eliminating the need for screws and screwdrivers while providing sufficient fastening strength through elastic deformation and geometric interlocking.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through spring force. The resilient arms automatically engage with the receptacles when the squeegee base is inserted, providing secure fastening without requiring external tools or significant manual force. The system serves itself by using the insertion motion to trigger the clamping action.
2Reliability
If the squeegee is securely fastened to prevent loosening during motion, then constant contact with the floor is maintained, but the squeegee is prone to damage during collisions with obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic fastening system where the clamping elements can release under excessive force. The spring-loaded mechanism allows the clamping force to decrease when collision forces exceed a threshold, enabling the squeegee to detach or move relative to the holder, thereby protecting both the squeegee and the holder from damage while maintaining stable contact during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient arms of the clamping elements are pre-loaded with spring force that can be depleted during collision. This beforehand cushioning allows the mechanism to absorb impact energy through elastic deformation, reducing the transmission of shock forces to the squeegee and holder, and enabling safe detachment when necessary.
3Reliability
If trapezoidal joints are used to mount the squeegee for constant full-surface contact on uneven surfaces, then contact stability is improved, but the mounting becomes very complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mounting system into separate functional components: a holder with clamping elements, a connection piece with receptacles, and a squeegee base. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall mounting process compared to complex integrated trapezoidal joints, while still achieving stable contact through the spring-loaded clamping mechanism.
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
Enables secure, tool-free attachment and automatic release of the squeegee assembly, ensuring consistent contact with the floor and preventing damage during collisions, while allowing for adjustable orientation and height positioning.
Implementation Method 1
one or both clamping elements are elastically deformable such that the pin portion can be moved perpendicular to its direction of extension over the free ends out of and into the receiving portion
Data Source
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AI summary
A suction foot assembly for attachment to a floor cleaning machine (1) is shown and described, comprising a suction foot (37), a suction foot holder (33) connected to the base (39) and having a coupling section (35), and a suction foot connection (23) extending between a coupling end (25) and a machine end (27), wherein the machine end (27) is designed to be pivotably attached to a floor cleaning machine (1) about a vertical axis (31), wherein one coupling section (35) and the coupling end (25) comprise a pin section (57) extending along a pin axis (59) parallel to the contact plane, and wherein the other coupling section (35) and the coupling end (25) comprise a first and a second clamping element (63, 65) opposing each other, having free ends (69) and extending concavely such that a receiving section (67) is located between the clamping elements (63,65) is formed in which the pin section (57) is received, wherein the distance between the free ends (69) of the clamping elements (63, 65) is less than the distance between the clamping elements (63, 65) in the receiving section (67) and wherein one or both clamping elements (63, 65) are elastically deformable such that the pin section (57) can be moved perpendicular to its extension direction over the free ends (69) out of and into the receiving section (67).