Attachment element for a floor cleaning machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor cleaning machine attachments require complex coupling and lifting mechanisms to facilitate easy maneuverability in confined spaces and to prevent wear on bristles, making them difficult to use and design.
Innovation Solution
A simplified attachment system for floor cleaning machines featuring a base frame with a coupling end and support element, a pivotable pressure element, and an actuating element that allows for easy vertical coupling and locking to the machine frame, enabling the attachment to be raised and lowered without direct contact with the floor surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a complex coupling and lifting mechanism is provided for the attachment, then the attachment can be easily coupled and adjusted vertically to the floor cleaning machine, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the coupling mechanism and lifting mechanism into a single integrated system. The coupling element engages with the machine frame while simultaneously providing lifting capability through the same structural interface, eliminating the need for separate coupling and lifting mechanisms and thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the coupling interface for attaching the attachment to the machine frame and as the lifting mechanism for vertical adjustment. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed while achieving both coupling and lifting objectives
2Productivity
If the attachment is kept close to the floor surface during operation, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the bristles experience increased wear and the machine cannot be maneuvered in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a vertically adjustable attachment that can dynamically change its position between a lowered operating position (for effective cleaning) and a raised position (for maneuverability and reduced bristle wear). This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements, maintaining cleaning effectiveness when needed while enabling easy movement in confined spaces
3Ease of operation
If the attachment is frequently raised and lowered during operation, then maneuverability in confined spaces is improved, but the bristles experience increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a support element as an intermediary between the attachment and the floor surface. This support element bears the contact load when the attachment is in the raised position, preventing direct contact between the bristles and the floor surface, thereby enabling frequent raising and lowering for maneuverability while protecting the bristles from wear
Data Source
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AI summary
Attachment (1) for mounting on a floor cleaning machine (3), comprising a base frame (17), a support element (23) designed to support the attachment (1) with a free end on a floor surface, a first coupling element (27), a pressure element (31) pivotably mounted on the base frame (17) and which can come into contact with the floor cleaning machine (3) with a vertically extending contact surface (33) at a free end, an actuating element (21) pivotable about a horizontally extending axis relative to the base frame (17), and an actuating shaft (19) pivotably mounted on the base frame (17) about a pivot axis and coupled to the actuating element (21), wherein the support element (23) is coupled to the actuating shaft (19) and pivots between an extended and at least one retracted position when the actuating shaft (19) is pivoted. is shifted,wherein the pressure element (31) is coupled to the actuating shaft and pivots between a release position, a coupling position and a lifting position when the actuating shaft is pivoted, wherein the position of the free end of the pressure element (31) in the release position, viewed along an adjustment direction perpendicular to the transverse plane (V), is closer to the front end than in the lifting position, and wherein the position of the free end in the coupling position, viewed along the adjustment direction, lies between that in the release position and that in the lifting position, and wherein the pressure element (31) and the support element (23) are coupled to the actuating shaft (19) such that in the release position the support element (23) is pivoted into the extended position and that in the lifting position or the coupling position the support element is in one of the at least one retracted position.