Surface treating machine with automatic drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor cleaning machines face challenges with vertical instability, energy inefficiency, and maintenance issues due to motor and drive system configurations, and the effectiveness of cleaning surfaces is hindered by the material properties of cleaning towels and brushes.
Innovation Solution
A surface treatment machine with a drive assembly that includes two counter-rotating motors with offset weights, a vibration-isolating attachment assembly, and a cleaning pad with micro-fiber polyester cylinders, which provides a scrubbing motion parallel to the XY plane, enhancing cleaning efficiency and stability while reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the motor and drive assembly are positioned high above the cleaning plate, then the machine structure is simplified, but vertical instability increases causing unwanted oscillation and user fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the motor and drive assembly from a vertical arrangement (high above the cleaning plate) to a horizontal arrangement (close to the cleaning plate), changing the spatial dimension of the drive system. This dimensional shift moves the center of gravity lower and reduces the moment arm that causes vertical oscillation, thereby improving vertical stability while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Device complexity
If a round bottom plate is used, then the machine structure is simpler, but cleaning effectiveness decreases in rectangular corners and along straight edges
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a round bottom plate that is simpler to manufacture but less effective for rectangular surfaces, the patent inverts the approach by using a rectangular cleaning plate that matches the geometry of typical floor surfaces. This allows the cleaning plate to effectively reach into rectangular corners and maintain consistent contact along straight edges, significantly improving cleaning productivity despite the slightly increased manufacturing complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If cotton towels are used for cleaning, then absorbency is improved, but friction with the floor surface increases resulting in low energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the cleaning towel from traditional cotton to a synthetic material with optimized surface properties. This synthetic material maintains sufficient absorbency for cleaning purposes while having reduced friction coefficients against floor surfaces. The parameter change in material composition allows the machine to operate with lower energy consumption while still achieving effective cleaning performance.
4Force
If brushes are used for cleaning, then material loosening is effective, but absorption and removal of solid and liquid matter is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of brushes and absorbent towels into a single integrated cleaning system. The cleaning plate incorporates both the mechanical action of brushes for loosening material and the absorbent properties of towels for capturing and removing solid and liquid matter. This combination of multiple cleaning mechanisms into one system simultaneously achieves effective material loosening and efficient removal, resolving the contradiction between force application and productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The machine achieves improved cleaning effectiveness, reduced user fatigue, and extended machine life by minimizing vertical oscillations and optimizing energy use, with the micro-fiber cleaning pad effectively removing solid and liquid matter without excessive friction.
Implementation Method 1
The drive assembly is connected to the cleaning plate to drive the cleaning plate with a cleaning vibration in an oscillating pattern parallel to the XY plane
Implementation Method 2
The attachment assembly flexibly attaches the cleaning plate to the body plate to permit the cleaning plate to vibrate relative to the body plate and to isolate the cleaning vibration from the body
Implementation Method 3
the micro-fiber cleaning pad effectively removing solid and liquid matter without excessive friction
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a machine for treating a surface lying in an XY plane. The machine includes a body having a body plate, a cleaning plate, a cleaning pad, a drive assembly and an attachment assembly. The cleaning plate is located between the body plate and the XY plane. The drive assembly is connected to the cleaning plate to drive the cleaning plate with a cleaning vibration in an oscillating pattern parallel to the XY plane and producing a drive force for driving the machine over the XY-plane.