Floor Cleaner Foot Pedal Mode Control for Nozzle and Agitator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bare floor cleaning appliances lack a single mode selector for controlling multiple cleaning modes and do not have a foot pedal for simultaneous control of suction nozzle height and horizontal axis rotary agitator energization, and they do not incorporate an accessory hose and telescoping wand for cleaning hard-to-reach areas.
Innovation Solution
A bare floor cleaning appliance with a single mode selector for switching between cleaning modes, a foot pedal to control suction nozzle height and energize/de-energize the horizontal axis rotary agitator, and an accessory hose and telescoping wand for extended cleaning capabilities, including hard-to-reach areas and grout between tiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple separate controls are used for cleaning modes, suction nozzle height, and agitator operation, then each function can be controlled independently, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to multiple controls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions into a single foot pedal that simultaneously controls the suction nozzle height adjustment mechanism and the horizontal axis rotary agitator drive motor. This merging of controls reduces the number of separate controls from multiple switches to a single pedal, thereby improving ease of operation while managing device complexity through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The foot pedal serves multiple functions: it controls both the suction nozzle height adjustment and the agitator energization/de-energization. This multi-functional control element allows a single component to perform what previously required multiple separate controls, improving operational simplicity without significantly increasing overall device complexity
2Ease of operation
If a single mode selector is used to control multiple cleaning modes, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases due to the need for a sophisticated control system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mode selection function with the existing foot pedal control mechanism. Instead of adding a completely new sophisticated control system, the invention integrates mode selection into the familiar foot pedal interface, allowing users to select between wet scrub mode, wet pickup mode, and dry pickup mode through the same pedal that controls nozzle height and agitator operation, thereby improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing device complexity
3Productivity
If the suction nozzle is kept close to the floor surface for effective cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but the ability to clean hard-to-reach areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic suction nozzle height adjustment mechanism that allows the nozzle to move between a lowered position for effective floor cleaning and a raised position for cleaning hard-to-reach areas. The foot pedal controls this height adjustment, enabling users to dynamically adapt the nozzle position to the cleaning task at hand, thereby maintaining both cleaning effectiveness and versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is segmented into multiple operational modes (wet scrub, wet pickup, dry pickup) with corresponding nozzle height positions. This segmentation allows the system to optimize performance for different cleaning scenarios - with the nozzle close to the floor for effective cleaning and raised for hard-to-reach areas - thereby resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and versatility
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a bare floor cleaning appliance provided with a foot pedal for raising and lowering the suction nozzle while simultaneously energizing and de-energizing the independent drive motor powering a horizontal axis rotary agitator. The foot pedal is depressed once to lower the suction nozzle to a position closest to the floor surface and the horizontal rotary agitator is energized to clean the floor surface. Suction from the motor-fan assembly is used to pick up dirt and used cleaning solution. The foot pedal is depressed one more time to raise the suction nozzle from the floor surface and de-energize the horizontal rotary agitator. In this mode, suction from the motor-fan assembly is used to pick up dry objects including dirt. The foot pedal operates the switch for energizing and de-energizing the independent electric motor by rotating a mode indicator operably connected to the foot pedal. Depressing the foot pedal once rotates the mode indicator to a first position which toggles the switch from the off position to the on position. When rotated into this position, an first indicating portion on the mode indicator is rotated underneath a first viewing window formed in the hood of the cleaner foot. Depressing the foot pedal another time rotates the mode indicator to a second position which toggles the switch from the on position to the off position. A second indicating portion on the mode indicator rotates underneath a second viewing window formed in the hood of the foot. At the same time the first indicating portion is rotated out of sight of the first viewing window.