Floor Cleaning Machine Coupling Device for Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor cleaning machines face significant challenges in reliably and efficiently exchanging additional devices, such as sweeping or mowing attachments, due to the difficulty in connecting and disconnecting them from the base, which is time-consuming and often prone to errors, especially given the limited accessibility of the intermediate space between the front wheels.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a locking lever on the attachment that can be pivoted between a locking and release position, featuring a hook for engagement with a locking element on the base, allows for secure attachment and easy detachment, along with a centering coupling device that facilitates alignment and secure connection without requiring precise positioning, and a coarse material flap actuated by a Bowden cable for enhanced suction capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional coupling devices are used for attaching additional devices to the floor cleaning machine, then the connection can be established, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and error-prone due to difficult accessibility and complex alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device automatically centers the attachment plate relative to the base plate through the interaction of centering edges and guide surfaces, eliminating the need for manual alignment by the operator. The attachment self-adjusts to the correct position when brought near the base, making the process foolproof and rapid.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever acts as an intermediary mechanism that simplifies the connection process. By operating a single lever, the operator simultaneously engages multiple coupling elements and secures the attachment, replacing complex manual manipulation with a simple single-action control.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional coupling devices are used for attaching additional devices, then connection can be made, but the process requires precise positioning which is difficult to achieve in the limited space between front wheels
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device automatically centers the attachment plate relative to the base plate through the interaction of centering edges and guide surfaces, eliminating the need for manual alignment by the operator. The attachment self-adjusts to the correct position when brought near the base, making the process foolproof and rapid.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the operator to precisely align the attachment with the base, the design inverts the approach: the base's centering edges actively guide and position the attachment plate. The alignment function is transferred from the operator to the mechanical structure itself.
3Reliability
If multiple coupling members are used to secure the attachment, then connection stability can be improved, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple coupling functions are merged into a single locking lever mechanism. The lever simultaneously engages front and rear coupling elements, activates centering edges, and secures the attachment in one unified action, reducing operational complexity while maintaining multiple points of contact for stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever serves multiple functions: it engages the attachment plate, activates centering mechanisms, secures coupling elements, and provides a manual release mechanism. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, simplifying the overall device.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The floor cleaning machine (1) has a chassis (11) for the movement of the floor cleaning machine in a driving direction (7) over an upper surface (5) to be cleaned and a suction unit (9) for cleaning the upper surface to be cleaned, where the suction unit has a base and an attachment. A locking lever is arranged at the attachment and is pivotable around a pivoting axis between a locking position and a release position, where the pivoting axis is extended perpendicular to the upper surface to be cleaned.