Floor Cleaner Steering Rod Layout for Tight-Space Maneuvering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manually guided floor cleaning machines lack a compact and efficient steering mechanism that allows for easy direction changes and maneuverability, particularly in tight spaces and corner regions, often requiring intermediate elements and resulting in a less-than-optimized construction.
Innovation Solution
A steering rod device articulated to the cleaning head and extending upwardly from the chassis, allowing direct pivoting control by the operator and serving as both a pushing and pulling mechanism, with a pivot axis oriented at an acute angle to facilitate compact construction and ergonomic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a traditional steering mechanism with intermediate elements is used, then the steering control is achieved, but the construction becomes less compact and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate steering elements from the traditional mechanism. The steering rod is directly articulated to the cleaning head, removing unnecessary intermediate components and simplifying the overall construction while maintaining steering functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering rod device serves multiple functions: it acts as both a steering control mechanism and a pushing/pulling mechanism for maneuvering the floor cleaning machine. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, contributing to a more compact design.
2Ease of operation
If the steering rod device extends upwardly from the chassis, then the operator can directly control the cleaning head pivoting, but the space arrangement becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The steering rod device extends upwardly from the chassis in the vertical dimension, allowing the operator to control the cleaning head pivoting from a higher position. This vertical arrangement optimizes the horizontal space within the machine for other components while maintaining direct control capability.
3Device complexity
If the steering rod device is used for both steering and pushing/pulling, then the number of components is reduced, but the structural requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The steering rod device is designed to fulfill multiple roles: it provides steering control by articulating the cleaning head and simultaneously serves as a pushing and pulling mechanism for maneuvering the entire machine. This multi-functionality reduces component count while the rod is dimensioned and positioned to handle the combined mechanical loads.
Data Source
AI summary
A manually guided floor cleaning machine is provided, including a chassis with a front end and a rear end in relation to a straight ahead forward travel direction, a wheel arrangement, which is arranged on the chassis in the region of the rear end, and a cleaning head, which is pivotably arranged on the chassis in the region of the front end, wherein there is provided a steering rod device, which is articulated on the cleaning head, which is supported on the chassis and which extends upwardly in a direction away from the chassis toward the rear end.