Multi-Agitator Floor Cleaner for Grooming and Fluid Agitation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor cleaning devices lack the creation of a 'sweeper track' appearance and insufficient agitation of cleaning fluid, requiring repeated passes over soiled areas for effective cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A floor cleaning machine with multiple agitator brushes that rotate around different axes, including a first brush assembly rotating horizontally and a second brush assembly rotating vertically, connected to a motor for effective agitation and suction, enhancing cleaning effectiveness and leaving a groomed appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single row of rotatable brushes is used, then the device structure is simpler, but the grooming effect and cleaning effectiveness are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrush arrangementVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The brush assembly is segmented into multiple functional rows: a first row of rotatable brushes for agitation and a second row of stationary bristle bundles for grooming. This segmentation allows each row to perform its specific function optimally, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a second dimensional aspect to the brush arrangement by introducing stationary bristle bundles in front of the rotatable brushes. This creates a multi-layered cleaning system that provides both agitation and grooming functions simultaneously, enhancing cleaning effectiveness without significantly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If multiple passes are made over soiled areas, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The stationary bristle bundles are positioned in front of the rotatable brushes to perform preliminary grooming action before the main agitation occurs. This preliminary action prepares the carpet surface, allowing the rotatable brushes to work more efficiently and reduce the need for repeated passes, thereby saving time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The combination of stationary and rotatable brushes creates continuous useful action throughout the cleaning process. The stationary bristles continuously groom the carpet while the rotatable brushes continuously agitate, ensuring that every pass is effective and eliminating idle or ineffective movements that would waste time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If the brushes rotate at high speed, then agitation effectiveness improves, but the groomed appearance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveagitation effectivenessVSAvoidgroomed appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The brush system is segmented into two distinct functional groups: rotatable brushes for high-speed agitation and stationary bristle bundles for grooming. This segmentation allows the rotatable brushes to operate at high speeds for effective agitation while the stationary bristles simultaneously restore the groomed appearance, resolving the contradiction between agitation effectiveness and aesthetic result.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having all brushes rotate, the invention inverts the approach by having some brushes remain stationary while others rotate. The stationary bristle bundles perform the grooming function that would otherwise be compromised by high-speed rotation, while the rotatable brushes provide the necessary agitation. This inverted arrangement allows both high-speed agitation and groomed appearance to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 machine effectively agitates the cleaning fluid, improving cleaning efficiency and leaving a 'sweeper track' appearance, reducing the need for repeated passes and enhancing overall cleaning effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

remove the liquid-wetted material from the carpet or floor surface using vacuum suction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

agitate the carpet to dislodge dirt, stains and debris

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical agitation: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS8800106B2Floor cleaning device with multiple agitators

Publication Date: 2014.08.12 TECHTRONIC FLOOR CARE TECH LTD

AI summary

An agitator arrangement for a floor cleaning machine is disclosed including various multi-agitator configurations or one agitator configuration with a plurality of brushes with bristle bundles for rotation of the brushes about an approximate vertical axis with a plurality of stationary downwardly projecting, bristle bundles arranged in at least one row approximately side by side with or without an offset. In particular, agitator assemblies having multiple brushes that rotate in approximately a horizontal and approximately a vertical axis or that rotate at different speeds and torque. Other configurations may include multi-row multiple vertical axis agitators.