Hand-controlled sweeping machine and use of a coupling ring in a hand-held sweeping machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-held sweeping machines face challenges in designing a small-sized freewheel clutch device that is cost-effective and reliable, particularly in preventing the sweeping means from rotating in the opposite direction during reverse movement and ensuring unidirectional torque transmission.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held sweeper with a freewheel clutch device featuring a clutch sleeve and a clutch ring with elastically deformable lamellae, where the lamellae are evenly distributed over the circumference, allowing torque transmission in one direction while preventing it in the opposite direction, and utilizing a plastic coupling ring made of permanently elastic materials like polyurethane for efficient manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional freewheel clutch device is used, then reliable unidirectional torque transmission is achieved, but the device size and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a clutch ring with elastically deformable lamellae that act as a flexible element. These lamellae can bend and deform elastically to engage and disengage the clutch mechanism, replacing traditional rigid clutch components. This flexible design enables reliable unidirectional torque transmission while significantly reducing the overall clutch device size and simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the clutch ring material from rigid to elastically deformable. By selecting materials with appropriate elastic properties, the clutch mechanism achieves reliable torque transmission through controlled elastic deformation of the lamellae, rather than through complex mechanical interlocking of rigid parts.
2Device complexity
If a compact clutch design is implemented, then device size is reduced, but manufacturing cost and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch ring with elastically deformable lamellae can be manufactured as a single integrated component using injection molding or similar plastic forming processes. This eliminates the need for assembling multiple separate clutch parts, significantly reducing manufacturing steps, labor costs, and assembly complexity while maintaining the compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the clutch ring and its elastic lamellae into a single integrated component. Rather than assembling separate clutch plates, springs, and retainers, the entire clutch mechanism is formed as one piece, simplifying manufacturing and reducing production costs while maintaining the compact size.
3Ease of operation
If the sweeping means is allowed to rotate freely in both directions, then ease of operation during reverse movement is improved, but the ability to maintain sweeping direction consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The freewheel clutch device automatically engages and disengages based on the direction of torque application. During forward movement, the clutch transmits torque to maintain sweeping direction. During reverse movement, the clutch automatically disengages, allowing the sweeping means to rotate freely without manual intervention. This self-service mechanism maintains sweeping direction consistency while enabling easy reverse operation.
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 enables the production of a compact, reliable, and cost-effective freewheel clutch device that ensures effective unidirectional movement and torque transmission, maintaining the sweeping direction consistency during both forward and reverse operations.
Implementation Method 1
The clutch ring has a plurality of elastically deformable lamellae formed thereon and protruding in the direction of the clutch sleeve
Implementation Method 2
A movement or torque transmission takes place due to frictional forces
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a hand-held sweeper (1) comprising at least one sweeping means mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation, at least one drive means assigned to the at least one sweeping means, by means of which the sweeping means can be driven to rotate about the axis of rotation, and one between the at least one sweeping means and the at least an associated drive means provided overrunning clutch device, wherein the overrunning clutch device comprises a clutch sleeve (25, 29, 32) and a clutch ring (5, 6, 8) accommodated in the clutch sleeve (25, 29, 32) for unidirectional motion transmission, and the coupling ring (5, 6, 8) having at least one, preferably several, elastically deformable lamella(s) (51, 61, 81) formed thereon and projecting in the direction of the coupling sleeve (25, 29, 32). The invention further relates to the use of a clutch ring in an overrunning clutch device of a hand-held sweeper.