Floor Cleaner Joint Bellows for Axial Force and Pivot Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor cleaning machines with inclined cleaning elements suffer from non-uniform cleaning effects and difficulty in controlling the base movement due to the lack of effective force transmission along the longitudinal axis, making it hard to guide and actuate the machine efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A floor cleaning machine design featuring a pivotable operating bar connected to the base via a joint with a sleeve-shaped bellows and spherical projections/recesses, allowing torque to be applied perpendicularly to the cleaning plane, enabling better control and force transmission along the longitudinal axis, and incorporating a locking mechanism for secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the operating bar is connected to the base via a joint with a sleeve made of elastic material with a steel coil embedded therein, then a torque parallel to a vertical axis can be exerted on the base, but it is not possible to exert a pressure along the longitudinal axis of the operating bar in the direction of the base
Solution Approach 1:
The joint is segmented into multiple functional components: a guiding element for axial movement, a bellows element for torque transmission, and a supporting element for structural support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, resolving the contradiction between torque transmission and guidance capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows element acts as an intermediary between the operating bar and the base, enabling both axial force transmission and torque transmission. The bellows structure allows the operating bar to pivot while maintaining force transmission along the longitudinal axis, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of torque and guidance.
2Force
If cleaning elements are inclined relative to one another, then a thrust is exerted on the base continuously, but the cleaning effect is not uniform and the user must apply considerable force to move the machine
Solution Approach 1:
The operating bar is designed to be pivotable relative to the base, allowing dynamic adjustment of the cleaning element orientation. This enables the cleaning elements to adapt to different floor conditions and cleaning requirements, improving maneuverability while maintaining effective thrust when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclination angle of the cleaning elements can be changed by pivoting the operating bar, allowing the user to adjust the thrust parameter according to the cleaning task. This parameter change capability resolves the contradiction by enabling both thrust generation and easy maneuverability as needed.
3Ease of operation
If the joint allows free movement of the operating bar, then the machine is easy to guide, but forces acting in the direction of the longitudinal axis cannot be transmitted effectively to the base
Solution Approach 1:
The joint merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure: the guiding element provides free movement for easy guidance, while the bellows element simultaneously transmits forces along the longitudinal axis to the base. This merging of functions resolves the contradiction between ease of guidance and force transmission.
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
This design enhances the controllability of the base movement, ensures a more uniform cleaning effect, and allows for easier handling by transmitting forces effectively, improving the overall cleaning efficiency and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a sleeve-shaped bellows (81) which extends between a first and a second end, the first end of which is connected to the base and the second end of which is connected to the operating bar
Implementation Method 2
a first supporting element, which is arranged inside the bellows and is attached to the base, pointing away therefrom, and a second supporting element, which is arranged inside the bellows and is attached to the proximal end of the operating bar, pointing away therefrom, wherein the free end of one of the first and second supporting elements has a convex spherical shell-shaped projection and the free end of the other of the first and second supporting elements has a concave spherical shell-shaped receiving recess
Data Source
AI summary
A floor cleaning machine with a base, which has a driven cleaning element, and an operating bar that is pivotably attached to the base via a joint and extends between a proximal end and an actuating end. The joint includes a bellows, which is coupled at its opposite ends to the base and the operating bar, a first supporting element, which is arranged inside the bellows and is attached to and points away from the base, and a second supporting element, which is arranged inside the bellows and is attached to and points away from the proximal end of the operating bar. A free end of one of the first and second supporting elements has a projection, while a free end of the other of the first and second supporting elements has a receiving recess that receives the projection and guides it for pivoting movement.