Fluid-Driven Rotary Brush Cleaner With Torque-Balanced Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable hand cleaners with brush-like cleaning elements are not easily handled and lack versatility in application.

Innovation Solution

The device uses the kinetic energy of a cleaning fluid to drive rotary cleaning elements through a paddle wheel or turbine principle, allowing for a modular design with interchangeable cleaning parts and adjustable orientations to enhance usability and versatility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a portable hand cleaner with brush-like cleaning elements is designed with fixed cleaning elements, then the structure is simple, but the versatility and ease of handling are poor

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveversatilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device is divided into modular cleaning elements that can be independently attached and detached from the carrier. Each cleaning element consists of a cleaning part and a drive compartment that can be separately coupled to the carrier at different positions, enabling versatile cleaning configurations without overwhelming structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning elements are designed to be dynamically adjustable on the carrier. The cleaning parts can rotate relative to the carrier during operation, and the modular design allows users to attach or detach cleaning elements as needed, providing adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If cleaning elements are made modular and interchangeable, then versatility improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinterchangeabilityVSAvoidmodular structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier is designed with multiple connection points that can accommodate different types of cleaning elements. The standardized coupling mechanism allows a single carrier to support various cleaning parts (brushes, sponges, cloths) interchangeably, achieving multi-functionality without requiring complex specialized structures for each cleaning type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of stationary object

If multiple modules are attached to the carrier, then cleaning coverage increases, but torque imbalance causes device wandering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning coverageVSAvoiddevice stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device allows asymmetric attachment of cleaning modules at different positions and orientations on the carrier. By strategically placing modules with different rotational directions at asymmetric positions, the design achieves broad cleaning coverage while the opposite rotations balance the torque, preventing device wandering during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses cleaning modules rotating in opposite directions as counterbalancing elements. When modules are attached at different orientations, their opposing rotational torques act as counterweights that balance each other, stabilizing the device during operation and preventing wandering even when multiple modules are attached for extended cleaning coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

4Loss of time

If cleaning elements are driven by fluid kinetic energy, then no external power source is needed, but the drive mechanism becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetup timeVSAvoiddrive mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device uses the kinetic energy of the cleaning fluid itself to drive the cleaning elements. The fluid flow directly acts on the cleaning parts through the drive compartment, causing them to rotate without requiring external motors or power sources. This self-service approach eliminates setup time for power connections while keeping the drive mechanism relatively simple and fluid-driven.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 enables easy handling and versatile use, with the ability to operate multiple modules in opposite directions to cancel out torque and prevent device wandering, achieving efficient cleaning with adjustable brush spacing and direction.

Implementation Method 1

The kinetic energy of the supplied fluid is used to act on a drive device, i.e. it is not necessary to use the recoil principle. The rotary drive of the cleaning elements is based on the paddle wheel or turbine principle, i.e. the kinetic energy of the supplied fluid is used by the fluid interacting with a paddle wheel or turbine wheel and causing it to rotate.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPaddle wheel or turbine principle: Turbine

Data Source

PatentEP1949836B1Cleaning device

Publication Date: 2011.05.11 JAGER ANTON

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AI summary

The cleaning device has a multiple brush-shaped cleaning elements (11), which are arranged at a common swiveling support (13) and supplied to the fluid, particularly water, which is displaced in rotary manner by using cleaning device. A driving device is provided, which is subjected by the supplied fluid, in order to shift the cleaning elements in rotation.