Floor Nozzle Bouncing Element for Vacuum-Free Dirt Pick-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical floor cleaners face limitations in cleaning performance, particularly due to the need for external vacuum sources and complex, costly constructions, which restrict their effectiveness and user-friendliness.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a rotatable brush and a bouncing element that allows dirt and liquid particles to rebound back to the brush, eliminating the need for an external vacuum source by adjusting the bouncing element's position based on the device's movement direction to ensure effective dirt pick-up in both forward and backward strokes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external vacuum source is used to collect dispersed dust, then cleaning performance is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the external vacuum source from the cleaning device, replacing it with a dust pan positioned to receive dust directly from the brush. This removes the complex vacuum aggregate while maintaining effective dust collection through the dust pan's strategic placement at the rear of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush and dust pan are configured to work together in a self-sufficient manner without external vacuum assistance. The brush disperses dust forward and the dust pan, positioned at the rear, automatically captures the dispersed dust through gravity and brush action alone, making the system self-service capable.
2Reliability
If two separate brushes rotating in opposite directions are used, then dirt pick-up capability is improved, but nozzle size and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of multiple brushes into a single brush that rotates in one direction. This single brush is configured to disperse dust effectively toward the rear, where the dust pan is positioned, combining the cleaning and dust dispersal functions into one compact component rather than requiring two separate opposing brushes.
Solution Approach 2:
The single brush serves multiple functions: it cleans the surface, disperses dust forward, and works in conjunction with the rear-positioned dust pan to ensure dust capture. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized brushes, reducing overall nozzle size while maintaining effectiveness.
3Reliability
If an agitator with stiff brush hairs is used, then cleaning effectiveness on hard floors is improved, but suction power requirement and device cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the need for high-power suction systems by eliminating the agitator with stiff brush hairs. Instead, it uses a standard brush combined with a strategically positioned dust pan that captures dust through mechanical action and gravity, removing the requirement for powerful vacuum aggregates.
Solution Approach 2:
The design replaces expensive, high-power vacuum aggregates with a simpler, more affordable configuration using standard brush elements and a dust pan. This approach uses readily available, cost-effective components rather than requiring investment in expensive high-performance suction systems.
4Ease of manufacture
If a dust pan is positioned on the side of the brush where dust is released, then dust collection is simplified, but cleaning versatility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The dust pan is dynamically positioned at the rear of the device where it can effectively capture dust dispersed by the brush during forward movement. This positioning is optimized for the primary cleaning direction while the brush configuration ensures dust is consistently directed toward the pan, achieving effective collection without compromising versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush acts as an intermediary between the cleaning surface and the dust pan. It disperses dust in a controlled manner toward the rear, facilitating efficient transfer of dust to the dust pan while maintaining the ability to handle various cleaning scenarios, thus mediating between simple collection design and cleaning versatility.
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 improved cleaning performance with a compact nozzle design, reducing costs and enhancing user experience by maintaining high dirt pick-up efficiency without the need for an external vacuum source, achieving a dust pick-up ratio of up to 100%.
Implementation Method 1
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)
Implementation Method 2
a brush (12) provided with brush elements (16) having tip portions (18) for contacting a surface (20) to be cleaned and picking up dirt particles (22) and/or liquid (24) from the surface (20) during the rotation of the brush (12)
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device, for cleaning a surface, includes a nozzle arrangement. The nozzle arrangement includes a brush compartment surrounded by a brush. The brush includes brush elements including tip portions for contacting the surface to be cleaned and picking up dirt particles and/or liquid from the surface during rotation of the brush. The nozzle arrangement further includes a bouncing element with position adjusted relative to the surface and depending on a direction of movement of the cleaning device. The bouncing element is arranged in a first position and at a first distance d1 to the surface, when the cleaning device is moved in a forward direction and in a second position and at a second distance d2 to the surface, when the cleaning device is moved in an opposite backward direction, such that d2 is greater than d1.