Guide device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power cleaning equipment cords often get caught or lodged under objects during cleaning operations, leading to wasted time and resources as users must stop to locate and release the cords, which increases on-site cleaning time and operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A guide device with a base portion, platform, and support member featuring a continuous series of profiled geometric surfaces, such as B-surfaces, that stabilize the device and guide cords around objects, preventing them from getting caught or stuck, allowing for uninterrupted cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If power cleaning equipment is moved around to clean areas, then cleaning coverage and productivity increase, but power cords get caught or lodged under objects causing interruptions and time loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidtime lost to cord interruptions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device acts as an intermediary between the power cord and objects in the cleaning area. The tab with profiled geometric surfaces serves as a mediator that the cord passes through, preventing direct contact between the cord and objects that would cause lodging. This intermediary structure allows the cord to be guided smoothly around obstacles without getting caught.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the power cord is extended to reach distant areas, then cleaning coverage increases, but the cord becomes more prone to getting caught on objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning coverage areaVSAvoidcord lodging under objects

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device is positioned in advance at locations where objects are present in the cleaning area. By pre-placing these guide devices along the cord's path, the system prepares guidance points before the cord encounters objects, preventing lodging issues before they occur and enabling safer extension of the cord to cover larger areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the user stops to locate and release lodged cords, then the cord is freed, but valuable cleaning time is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecord release processVSAvoidcleaning output per time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The profiled geometric surfaces on the tab convert the potential harmful interaction between the cord and objects into a beneficial guiding function. Instead of the cord getting caught on sharp edges or under objects, the curved surfaces gently redirect the cord, transforming what would be a problematic contact into a smooth guiding action that prevents lodging entirely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS10625976B2Guide device

Publication Date: 2020.04.21 PINNACLE PROD SOLUTIONS

AI summary

A guide device is provided that includes a base portion defining a platform and a tab, and a support member positioned between the platform and the tab and extending upwardly. In one form, the tab defines a continuous series of profiled geometric surfaces at an intersection between the tab and the support member, and the platform is adapted to receive an external component for stabilization. In another form, the tab defines at least one profiled geometric surface. The present disclosure further provides an assembly that includes an object having a ground interface and a guide device.