Floor Cleaner Self-Cleaning Tray with Position-Based Brushroll Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor cleaners lack an efficient mechanism for self-cleaning and maintenance, particularly in transitioning between cleaning and storage modes, and do not effectively utilize a cleaning tray as a reservoir for fluid distribution and debris collection.
Innovation Solution
A floor cleaner design incorporating a movable base with an upright portion, a suction motor, a brushroll powered by a brushroll motor with a control circuit that enables or disables the brushroll based on position, and a cleaning tray that forms a reservoir for fluid communication and debris collection, with an actuator to activate the cleaning mode and control circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the brushroll is continuously powered during all positions, then the brushroll remains ready for cleaning, but energy is wasted when the cleaner is in storage position
Solution Approach 1:
The brushroll motor is designed to dynamically change its operational state based on the cleaner's position. The motor transitions between active and inactive states automatically, allowing the brushroll to be ready when needed (in cleaning position) while conserving energy during storage. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction between maintaining readiness and reducing energy consumption.
2Productivity
If the floor cleaner is designed with self-cleaning capability using the cleaning tray as reservoir, then maintenance efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional control circuits and actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning tray is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a storage container and a self-cleaning reservoir. By enabling the brushroll to rotate within the tray and use its contents for cleaning, the system eliminates the need for separate maintenance equipment. This multi-functionality approach improves productivity while managing device complexity through intelligent design.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor cleaner is equipped with self-cleaning capability through the control circuit that automatically activates the brushroll motor when the cleaner is positioned in the cleaning tray. The system performs its own maintenance by rotating the brushroll in the cleaning solution within the tray, eliminating the need for external maintenance services and improving overall productivity.
3Ease of operation
If the upright portion is made movable between inclined and upright positions, then ease of operation and storage improves, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upright portion is designed as a movable component that can transition between inclined and upright positions. This dynamic structure allows the cleaner to adapt to different operational and storage requirements, improving ease of operation and storage convenience while maintaining manageable structural complexity through straightforward mechanical design.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2
AI summary
A combination of a floor cleaner and a cleaning tray. At least a portion of a base of the floor cleaner is received by a reservoir of the cleaning tray. The floor cleaner further including an upright portion movable between an inclined use position and an upright storage position. The brushroll is powered by a brushroll motor. The brushroll motor includes a control circuit that controls the brushroll. The control circuit has a first switch that is open when the floor cleaner is in the upright position and closed when the floor cleaner is in the inclined use position. The second switch is in parallel with the first switch. The second switch is opened in response to the portion of the base being removed from the cleaning tray and the second switch is closed when the portion of the base is in the cleaning tray.