Ride-On Floor Cleaning Machine With Integrated Suction Unit on Holder

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile floor cleaning machines lack a compact and efficient design, with complex structural arrangements that complicate maintenance and component accessibility.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a holder that simultaneously supports the cleaning tool and suction unit, along with a motor device, allows for a compact structure and optimized center of gravity, enabling easy maintenance and component replacement, while a tank system ensures self-sufficiency in cleaning operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the suction unit is integrated on the holder with the cleaning tool, then the device compactness is improved and center of gravity is optimized, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction unit is integrated directly on the holder that also supports the cleaning tool, merging two separate functional units into a single integrated assembly. This reduces the overall device volume and optimizes the center of gravity by consolidating components, while the holder serves as a common mounting structure for both the cleaning tool and suction unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The holder is designed to serve multiple functions: it supports the cleaning tool, mounts the suction unit, and provides structural integration for both components. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate mounting structures and simplifies the overall device architecture despite the integrated complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If the holder serves as both cleaning tool support and suction unit mount, then the number of components is reduced, but the maintenance accessibility may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is designed as a unified component that supports both the cleaning tool and suction unit, reducing the total number of separate mounting structures and components. This integration simplifies the overall device while maintaining accessibility through strategic positioning of the suction unit on the holder.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the cleaning tool provides traction drive through friction with the floor, then the productivity is improved by enabling self-propelled movement, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveself-propelled movement capabilityVSAvoidfriction drive reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning tool itself generates the traction force needed to propel the device forward by creating friction with the floor surface. The rotating cleaning tool acts as both the cleaning element and the drive mechanism, enabling the device to be self-propelled without requiring a separate motor or drive system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 results in a more compact, efficient, and maintainable floor cleaning machine that can operate effectively without requiring physical exertion from the operator, with improved noise reduction and structural simplicity.

Implementation Method 1

The suction unit favorably comprises a suction fan and a fan motor. This allows a suction flow to be generated for negative pressure application in order to be able to suck in excess liquid (dirty liquid) via the suction device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction flow generation through fan rotation: Fan

Implementation Method 2

The at least one cleaning tool and a motor device are arranged and designed such that when the at least one cleaning tool comes into contact with the floor, a traction drive of the floor cleaning machine is provided. The cleaning tool causes a 'friction drive' for the mobile floor cleaning machine.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3079554B1Drivable floor cleaning machine
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP3079554B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3079554B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3079554B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a ride-on floor cleaning machine comprising a chassis (12), a cleaning tool device (20) that is disposed on the chassis (12) and includes at least one cleaning tool (22) and a holder (24) for the at least one cleaning tool (22), and a suction device (40) that includes a suction unit (42) and an aspiration mechanism (138), the suction unit (42) being disposed on the holder (24).