Floor Cleaning Tool Latch for Hands-Free Disc Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile floor cleaning machines require complex and labor-intensive processes to replace cleaning tools, often necessitating additional tools and causing mechanical stress due to the need for tilting or applying force to detach the cleaning tool from the tool holder.
Innovation Solution
A snap-in connection mechanism with a disengagement mechanism, allowing the cleaning tool to be rotated axially and separated from the tool holder without tools, utilizing complementary locking elements and a pivoting lever actuated by a foot pedal for easy release, ensuring reliable engagement and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bayonet connection is used to enable tool replacement, then the cleaning tool can be detached and attached, but the floor cleaning machine must be tilted strongly backwards to detach the cleaning tool
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is designed to be movable between a locked position (where it engages with the locking recess to secure the tool) and an unlocked position (where it releases the tool). This dynamic mechanism allows the tool to be detached without tilting the machine, as the locking element can be actuated independently to release the bayonet connection.
2Reliability
If a spring element with spring arms is used to fix the cleaning tool, then the cleaning tool is securely attached, but additional force must be applied to press the spring arms apart to release the projections
Solution Approach 1:
A lever is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the user's input force and the locking element. The lever provides mechanical advantage, allowing the user to apply force at one end while the other end actuates the locking element to release the spring arms from the projections, thereby facilitating tool detachment without directly pressing the spring arms apart.
3Ease of operation
If a foot pedal is used to actuate the disengagement mechanism, then the cleaning tool can be released without using hands, but the mechanism requires additional space for the pedal
Solution Approach 1:
The foot pedal mechanism utilizes the vertical dimension by allowing the pedal to pivot between a raised position (where it does not interfere with the tool or machine components) and a depressed position (where it actuates the disengagement mechanism). This vertical movement enables hands-free operation without significantly increasing the horizontal footprint of the machine.
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
Facilitates easy and tool-free replacement of cleaning tools, enhancing mechanical load capacity and operational simplicity by allowing the cleaning tool to snap into place without additional aids, while preventing unintentional detachment during use.
Implementation Method 1
a locking element which, in a locked position, engages with a locking recess in order to secure the cleaning tool to the tool holder
Implementation Method 2
a disengagement mechanism with a lever which can be actuated by means of a foot pedal and via which the locking element can be moved in the axial direction
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a ride-on floor cleaning machine (10) having a rotationally drivable disc-shaped cleaning tool (18) which is releasably held on a tool holder (25) connected to a drive shaft (20) in a rotationally fixed manner. In order to develop the floor cleaning machine (10) in such a way that the cleaning tool (18) can be exchanged in a simple manner, it is proposed according to the invention that said cleaning tool (18) can be releasably latched with the tool holder (25) and can be separated from the tool holder (25) in the axial direction by means of a disengaging mechanism (62) which can be actuated by the user.