Floor Cleaning Head and Squeegee Linkage With Single Drive

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor cleaning machines require separate drives and complex lifting mechanisms for the cleaning head and squeegee, leading to increased costs and installation space needs.

Innovation Solution

A floor cleaning machine with a single adjustment element mechanically coupled to both the cleaning head and squeegee, allowing for three operational positions to be achieved with a single drive, eliminating the need for separate drives and simplifying the adjustment mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate drives are used for cleaning head and squeegee, then each component can be adjusted independently, but device complexity and installation space increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent adjustment capabilityVSAvoidNumber of drives

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate drives into a single drive mechanism that controls both the cleaning head and squeegee. The drive shaft is coupled to both components through a common transmission system, reducing the number of motors and control units while maintaining the ability to adjust each component's height independently through the differential gear mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single drive mechanism serves multiple functions: it controls both the cleaning head height and squeegee height, and through the differential gear system, it enables both components to be adjusted independently or simultaneously. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated drives for each component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate drives are used for cleaning head and squeegee, then each component can be adjusted independently, but costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent adjustment capabilityVSAvoidManufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a single adjustment element is used for both cleaning head and squeegee, then device complexity is reduced, but independent adjustment capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNumber of drivesVSAvoidIndependent adjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The differential gear mechanism acts as an intermediary between the single drive shaft and the two adjustment elements. It translates the rotational motion of the single drive into independent linear adjustments of both the cleaning head and squeegee, allowing them to move independently while being powered by a common drive source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism changes the motion parameters from a single rotational input to two independent linear outputs. Through the differential gear system and connecting rods, the single rotational motion is transformed into coordinated linear movements that can independently position both the cleaning head and squeegee at different heights.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Area of stationary object

If a single adjustment element is used for both cleaning head and squeegee, then installation space is reduced, but operational flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveInstallation spaceVSAvoidOperational flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2954817B1Floor cleaning machine

Publication Date: 2016.10.26 HAKO GMBH

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5

AI summary

Shown and described is a floor cleaning machine with a machine frame (3), with a chassis attached to the machine frame (3) for moving the floor cleaning machine (1) over a floor area (7) to be cleaned, with a cleaning head (13) which is mounted on the machine frame (3 ) is supported such that it can be adjusted in height so that it can be lowered into and raised from an engagement position in which the cleaning head (13) engages the floor surface (7), with a suction foot (23) which is used for sucking liquid from the floor surface ( 7) and which is mounted on the machine frame so that it can be adjusted in height in such a way that it can be lowered into and raised from a contact position in which the suction foot (23) rests on the floor surface (7), with a movable adjusting element (43) that with the cleaning head (13) and with the suction foot (23) is coupled, and with a drive (39) for moving the adjustment element (43) between a first, a second and ei ner third position, wherein in the first position of the adjustment element (43) the cleaning head (13) is raised from the engagement position and the suction foot (23) is raised from the contact position, wherein in the second position of the adjustment element (43) the cleaning head (13) raised out of the engaged position and the squeegee (23) lowered into the contact position and wherein in the third position of the adjusting element (43) the cleaning head (13) is lowered into the engaged position and the squeegee (23) is lowered into the contact position.