Floor-treatment apparatus comprising a guide part with a joint arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor cleaning devices suffer from ergonomic disadvantages due to the neutral position of the guide member, which requires users to extend their arms uncomfortably, and the restoring force from the coil spring makes it difficult to pivot the guide member to larger angles.
Innovation Solution
The floor cleaning device incorporates a joint assembly with two pivot axes and assigns a spring member to generate a spring force that supports or counteracts the movement of the guide member relative to the floor unit, allowing for a neutral position that is ergonomic and facilitates easy pivoting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a coil spring is used to hold the guide member at a neutral position, then the guide member is stabilized at approximately 90 degrees relative to the floor unit, but the operator must extend arms relatively wide to grasp the guide member, which is uncomfortable and ergonomically disadvantageous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the neutral position parameter of the guide member from approximately 90 degrees to approximately 45 degrees relative to the floor unit. This parameter change allows the guide member to be positioned in a way that improves operator ergonomics while still maintaining stability through the coil spring mechanism. The coil spring is reconfigured to support this new neutral position angle.
2Ease of operation
If the operator pivots the guide member out of the neutral position towards their body, then ergonomic comfort is improved, but the operator must work against the restoring force generated by the coil spring, requiring significant effort for larger pivot angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the spring constant or pre-load parameter of the coil spring to reduce the restoring force magnitude. This allows the guide member to be more easily pivoted from the neutral position without requiring excessive operator effort, while still maintaining adequate stabilization when returned to the neutral position.
3Reliability
If the coil spring generates a strong restoring force to guarantee sufficient functionality, then the floor unit must be configured with heavy weight and/or relatively big base surface, which makes the device heavy and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the coil spring parameters (spring constant, wire diameter, coil density) to achieve the required reliability and stabilization function with a lighter floor unit. By carefully tuning these parameters, the device maintains sufficient restoring force for proper functionality without requiring excessive weight or base surface area.
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 enables users to maintain a comfortable and ergonomic operating position, reduces the effort required to pivot the guide member, and allows for easier maneuverability of the device, even when heavy or bulky.
Implementation Method 1
at least a spring member for generating a spring force between the floor unit and the guide member is assigned to the joint assembly, wherein the spring force of the spring member supports or counteracts a movement of the guide member relative to the floor unit when the guide member is pivoted about the first and/or second pivot axis relative to the floor unit
Data Source
AI summary
A floor treatment device is disclosed. The floor treatment device comprises a floor unit, a tool which contacts a floor surface in an operating state, a guide member for guiding the floor cleaning device by a user, and a joint assembly with at least two pivot axes, wherein the joint assembly is configured for pivoting the guide member relative to the floor unit about a first pivot axis and for pivoting the guide member relative to the floor unit about a second pivot axis, that is different than the first pivot axis relative to the floor unit. The floor treatment device further comprises a spring member for creating a spring force that optionally supports or counteracts a movement of the guide member relative to the floor unit when the guide member is pivoted about the first and/or second pivot axis relative to the floor unit.