Floor Nozzle Bouncing Element for Forward and Reverse Dirt Pickup
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical floor cleaners face limitations in cleaning performance, particularly when moving in reverse directions, due to the design of dust collection mechanisms and the need for external vacuum sources, leading to inefficient dirt pick-up and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a nozzle arrangement featuring a rotating brush and a bouncing element that adjusts its position based on the direction of movement, allowing dirt and liquid particles to rebound and be lifted without an external vacuum source, utilizing a flexible rubber lip or similar bouncing surface to ensure effective dirt pick-up in both forward and backward strokes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dust pan is positioned on the floor to collect dust, then dust collection is achieved, but the device can only move in one direction (forward) and cannot pick up dirt when moving backward
Solution Approach 1:
The bouncing element is designed to be vertically mobile through an adjustment mechanism that responds to the movement direction of the nozzle. When the nozzle moves forward, the bouncing element is positioned at a first distance from the surface; when moving backward, it adjusts to a second distance. This dynamic positioning enables the system to adapt its structure based on operational conditions, resolving the contradiction between versatility and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the bouncing element relative to the surface based on movement direction. By adjusting the distance between the bouncing element and the surface (from first distance d1 to second distance d2), the system optimizes dirt pick-up capability for both forward and backward movements, thereby improving adaptability without compromising operational simplicity.
2Productivity
If an external vacuum source is used to collect dispersed dust, then dust collection performance is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating brush itself performs the dual function of both agitating the floor to disperse dust and collecting the dispersed dust through its rotation. The brush elements pick up dirt particles during rotation, eliminating the need for a separate external vacuum source. This self-service approach maintains high productivity while significantly reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating brush is designed to perform multiple functions: it agitates the floor surface to disperse dust particles and simultaneously collects these particles through its rotation and the bouncing mechanism. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve effective dust collection without requiring additional vacuum components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
3Productivity
If two separate brushes are used to lift dirt, then cleaning performance is improved, but the nozzle size increases and liberty of action is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functions of multiple brushes into a single rotating brush. The bouncing element works in conjunction with this single brush to achieve effective dirt pick-up that would otherwise require two separate brushes. This merging reduces the nozzle size and weight, thereby improving the liberty of action while maintaining cleaning performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The bouncing element acts as an intermediary between the rotating brush and the surface. It enables the single brush to effectively pick up dirt particles by bouncing them back onto the brush, achieving the cleaning performance of two brushes with only one actual brush, thus reducing nozzle size and improving maneuverability.
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 solution achieves an improved dirt pick-up ratio of up to 100% without the need for an external vacuum source, providing enhanced cleaning performance and reducing costs, while maintaining a compact nozzle size and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a bouncing element comprising a bouncing surface that is configured to let the dirt particles and/or liquid, that are released from the brush during rotation, rebound to the brush
Implementation Method 2
brush elements having tip portions for contacting the surface to be cleaned and picking up dirt particles and/or liquid from the surface during the rotation of the brush
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning a surface, with a nozzle arrangement (10) comprising: -a brush (12) rotatable about a brush axis (14), said brush (12) being provided with brush elements (16) having tip portions (18) for contacting the surface to be cleaned (20) and picking up dirt particles (22) and/or liquid (24) from the surface (20) during the rotation of the brush (12), -a drive means for driving the brush (12) in rotation, -a bouncing element (32) comprising a bouncing surface (33) that is configured to let the dirt particles (22) and/or liquid (24), that are released from the brush (12) during rotation, rebound to the brush (12), said bouncing surface (33) being spaced apart from the brush (12) and extending substantially parallel to the brush axis (14), and -an adjustment means (35) for adjusting the position of the bouncing element (32) relative to the surface (20) depending on a direction of movement (40) of the device, wherein the adjustment means (35) is adapted to arrange the bouncing element (32) in a first position in which the bouncing element (32) has a first distance d1 to the surface (20), when the cleaning device is moved in a forward direction, in which the bouncing element (32) is, seen in the direction of movement of the device (40), located behind the brush (12), and to arrange the bouncing element (32) in a second position in which the bouncing element (32) has a second distance d2 to the surface, when the cleaning device is moved in an opposite backward direction, wherein d2 is greater than d1 and equal to d3 *tan(alpha), d3 being the distance between the bouncing surface (33) and the position of the brush (12) where the tip portions (18) lose contact from the surface to be cleaned (20) during the rotation of the brush (12), and alpha being an angle that is equal to or smaller than 20°.