Floor Treating Flywheel Mechanism for Adjustable Oscillation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor treating systems lack the ability to efficiently provide multiple speeds of oscillating motion for various cleaning tasks, which limits their versatility and effectiveness in different cleaning applications.

Innovation Solution

A floor treating system with a rotatable drive shaft that imparts at least two speeds of oscillating motion through a flywheel and counterbalance mechanism, allowing the floor treating attachment to be connected at different distances from the axis of rotation, enabling adjustable orbit sizes and power requirements for different cleaning tasks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single-speed oscillating mechanism is used in floor treating systems, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability and versatility for different cleaning tasks deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability for different cleaning tasksVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic speed selection mechanism that allows the operator to choose between high-speed and low-speed oscillating modes. The system includes a first speed selected when the drive shaft rotates at a first speed, and a second speed selected when the drive shaft rotates at a second speed. This dynamic adaptability enables the same device to handle different cleaning requirements (e.g., delicate carpet cleaning versus heavy-duty floor scrubbing) without requiring multiple separate devices, thus improving versatility while maintaining reasonable device complexity through a unified multi-functional design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If high-speed oscillating motion is used for all cleaning tasks, then productivity is improved, but the harmful effects on carpet fibers and material wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidwear on carpet fibers and materials
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by varying the oscillating speed based on the specific cleaning task and material being treated. The system provides a first high-speed oscillating mode for efficient cleaning of durable surfaces where productivity is prioritized, and a second low-speed oscillating mode for delicate materials like carpet fibers where minimizing wear is critical. The operator can select the appropriate speed parameter according to the cleaning requirements, thus achieving high productivity when needed while protecting sensitive materials from excessive wear through reduced speed operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution enhances the efficiency and versatility of floor cleaning by allowing for adjustable speed and agitation, improving the removal of cleaning substances and preserving carpet fibers, while reducing wear and tear.

Implementation Method 1

a floor treating system with a rotatable drive shaft that imparts at least two speeds of oscillating motion through a flywheel and counterbalance mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

imparts at least two speeds of oscillating motion through a flywheel and counterbalance mechanism, allowing the floor treating attachment to be connected at different distances from the axis of rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS8522385B2High efficiency floor treating system and method
Publication Date: 2013.09.03 TRINITY OP SYSTEMS LLC
  • US8522385B2 patent drawing
  • US8522385B2 patent drawing
  • US8522385B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method for high efficiency floor treating is provided. Embodiments of the floor treating system include a floor treating device with a power source having a rotatable drive shaft with an axis of rotation, a flywheel with an aperture for receiving the drive shaft, a counterbalance connected to the flywheel, and a floor treating attachment located at a distance of at least 0.400 inch from the axis of rotation of the drive shaft. Embodiments of the floor treating method include agitating a cleaning substance using the floor treating device with the floor treating attachment positioned at least 0.400 inch from the axis of rotation of the drive shaft.