Removable Rotary Brush Drive for Easy Sweeper Brush Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sweeping machines make it difficult for users to replace the roller brush due to complex mechanisms and the need for significant operational force, often resulting in damage to components during the process.

Innovation Solution

The impeller is designed to be moved into a working position that contacts the ground and shifts relative to the housing, allowing it to arrest and drive the roller brush, with a guide formed by obliquely running slots in the housing facilitating easy displacement and a locking mechanism for secure positioning, enabling easy removal and replacement of the roller brush.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the roller brush is rotatably mounted in bores in the housing, then the roller brush is securely held in position, but it becomes almost impossible for the user to remove the roller brush for cleaning or replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller brush positioning stabilityVSAvoidroller brush removal ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The impeller is designed to be movable between a working position where it contacts and drives the roller brush, and a release position where it disengages from the roller brush. This dynamic positioning allows the roller brush to be securely held during operation while enabling easy removal when needed, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The impeller serves as an intermediary component between the power source and the roller brush. By moving the impeller to the release position, it mediates the disengagement process, allowing the roller brush to be removed without requiring direct manipulation of the secure mounting mechanism, thus maintaining both stability during use and ease of removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a lever mechanism is used to move the impeller into the release position, then the impeller can be displaced from the working position, but this requires a comparatively complex mechanism and significant operating force from the user

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpeller position change capabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The impeller shaft is guided by slots in the housing that allow the impeller to be easily moved between positions. The design allows the user to simply push or pull the impeller along the guided path without requiring complex lever mechanisms or significant force, making the system self-servicing and easy to operate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The complex lever mechanism known from previous designs is completely removed from the system. Instead, the invention uses a simplified guided displacement mechanism where the impeller moves along slots in the housing, extracting the unnecessary complexity while maintaining the ability to change impeller positions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If bearing clips with detents are used to hold the roller brush, then the roller brush is securely mounted, but removing the roller brush requires tool assistance and significant force, often resulting in damage to the bearing clips and housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller brush mounting strengthVSAvoidroller brush replacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system transitions from a static, tool-required release mechanism to a dynamic system where the impeller itself can be moved to a release position. This allows the roller brush to be securely held during operation while enabling tool-free, damage-free removal by simply displacing the impeller, resolving the contradiction between mounting strength and replacement ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 allows for effortless replacement of the roller brush with minimal construction effort, preventing damage to components and simplifying the process, while ensuring the roller brush remains securely driven during operation.

Implementation Method 1

the impeller on the floor is shifted in relation to the housing, in the direction of the roller brush

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the impeller can be brought into the working position that arrests the roller brush and can be held there by contact with the ground and the force acting between the ground and the impeller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGround effect: Ground Effect

Data Source

PatentEP1976420B1Sweeping machine with removable rotary brush
Publication Date: 2014.12.03 LEIFHEIT
  • EP1976420B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1976420B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1976420B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sweeping machine comprising a housing (1), a rotary brush (2) rotatably mounted in or on the housing (1), and at least one running wheel (3) or running wheel pair, wherein the running wheel (3) serves to drive the rotary brush (2), is characterized in that the rotary brush (2) can be brought from a working position into a removal position, and in that the running wheel (3) can be moved from a working position into a release position, wherein the running wheel (3) comes into contact with the rotary brush (2) in the working position and holds it there, and in that the running wheel (3) is not in contact with the rotary brush (2) in the release position, such that said rotary brush (2) can be moved into the removal position and released for removal.