Oscillating Mop Head Guidance for Easier Floor Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor mopping devices with oscillating bodies often require excessive force for operation and lack precise control due to their design, leading to inefficient cleaning and user discomfort.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of guide elements, such as elastomer layers, membranes, or metal/plastic rod bearings, which control the oscillating movement of the oscillating body to maintain a consistent parallel alignment, minimizing force required for operation and enhancing user control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If an eccentric drive is used to generate oscillating movement of the cleaning element, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the force required for operation increases and handling becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces guide elements that dynamically control the oscillating body's movement path, allowing it to oscillate in a constrained circular arc rather than a full circle. This dynamic guidance maintains cleaning effectiveness while reducing the force required to operate the device by preventing unwanted rotational movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Guide elements act as intermediaries between the eccentric drive and the oscillating body, mediating the motion transmission. These guide elements (such as guide walls, rollers, or bearings) convert the eccentric motion into a controlled circular arc oscillation, reducing the operational force while maintaining cleaning performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the oscillating body is allowed to rotate freely during oscillation, then the eccentric drive operates smoothly, but the orientation of the cleaning element changes causing poor handling control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive operation smoothnessVSAvoidhandling control
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide elements dynamically constrain the oscillating body's rotation, allowing only a controlled circular arc motion. This dynamic constraint maintains the smooth operation of the eccentric drive while preventing unwanted changes in the cleaning element's orientation, ensuring consistent handling control throughout the oscillation cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If guide elements are added to control the oscillating body's movement, then handling control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling controlVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide elements can be implemented as simple guide walls, thin film structures, or flexible components that provide the necessary motion constraints without adding significant structural complexity. These lightweight guide structures effectively control the oscillating body's movement while maintaining device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The guide elements serve as simple intermediary components that provide motion control without requiring complex mechanisms. By using straightforward guide structures such as walls, rollers, or bearings, the patent achieves improved handling control while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design reduces the force needed for sliding displacement and improves handling by ensuring the oscillating body remains parallel throughout its movement path, resulting in easier and more effective cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

The guide elements, or specifically the aforementioned oscillating body links and/or fixed part links, preferably do not carry out a complete circular movement, but only an oscillating back and forth movement. It involves a rotational movement of a few degrees of angle at a time.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the oscillating body oscillates in a circular manner overall due to an eccentric effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric effect: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP2578131B1Floor mopping device and powered body that pivots relative to a fixed section
Publication Date: 2015.11.25 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH
  • EP2578131B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2578131B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2578131B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention initially relates to a floor cleaning device (1) with a motor-driven, elongated oscillating body (6) and a housing forming a fixed part (17). In order to further improve a floor wiping device of the type in question, in particular with regard to handling during operation of the floor wiping device, it is proposed that the oscillating body (6) be controlled with regard to the oscillating movement by guide elements (18). The invention also relates to a body (6), in particular a disc-shaped body, which is driven to oscillate relative to a fixed part (17), the oscillating movement being controlled by guide elements (18). In order to further improve an oscillating body of the type in question, in particular with regard to controlled guidance of the same, it is proposed by means of links (20, 20', 21, 21', 22) connected to the body (6) which on the one hand are connected to one another and on the other hand are connected to the fixed part (17).