Rotary Brush Centering Mechanism for Easy Vacuum Head Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum cleaners with rotating brushes face issues due to misalignment between the drive shaft and coupling means, leading to difficult installation, poor locking, potential damage, excessive energy consumption, and risk of blocking during operation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating centering means in the rotating brush to automatically center the brush body relative to the drive shaft, along with distinct coupling means for secure rotation, facilitating easy installation and reducing friction with the motor compartment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the drive shaft and coupling means are not precisely aligned during assembly, then installation becomes difficult and locking is poor, but adding complex alignment mechanisms increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centering means (eccentric ring with cam groove and cam lobe) performs preliminary centering action during the insertion process itself. As the brush body is inserted into the receiving housing, the cam groove and cam lobe automatically guide the drive shaft into proper alignment with the coupling means, eliminating the need for separate alignment steps or complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own components (eccentric ring, cam groove, cam lobe) to perform the centering function without requiring external alignment tools or additional complex mechanisms. The brush body and drive device center each other through the inherent geometry of the cam groove and lobe interaction during normal insertion operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If radial clearance between brush body and motor compartment is reduced to save space, then energy consumption increases due to friction, but increasing clearance reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcleaning efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The centering means performs preliminary centering action before the brush body contacts the motor compartment. By ensuring proper alignment during insertion (through the cam groove and lobe mechanism), the brush body rotates concentrically with the drive shaft, preventing lateral contact with the motor compartment even when radial clearance is minimal for space efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cam groove and cam lobe act as intermediary elements that mediate between the brush body and drive shaft, ensuring proper alignment without requiring large clearance gaps. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to maintain tight tolerances and minimal radial clearance while still preventing friction-induced energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If misalignment occurs during operation, then the brush body contacts the motor compartment causing blocking risk, but adding complex alignment correction mechanisms increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centering means performs preliminary centering action during assembly that establishes proper alignment for the entire operational period. The eccentric ring with cam groove and cam lobe creates a self-aligning system where the brush body is positioned correctly before operation begins, preventing misalignment-related contact with the motor compartment during use without requiring active correction mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The eccentric ring design uses asymmetric geometry (cam groove offset from center, cam lobe positioned strategically) to create a self-aligning mechanism. This asymmetric configuration ensures that during insertion and operation, the brush body is automatically guided into the correct concentric position relative to the drive shaft, eliminating the need for symmetric, complex active alignment systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3900597B1Rotary brush for suction head
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 SEB SA
  • EP3900597B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3900597B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3900597B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The rotary brush (11) comprises a brush body (12) which has a generally tubular shape around a central axis (A); centering means (22) disposed in the brush body (12) and configured to cooperate with complementary centering means (23) belonging to a drive device (16) so as to center the brush body (12) relative to a drive shaft (18) coupled to a drive motor (17) belonging to the drive device (16); and coupling means (24) disposed in the brush body (12) and configured to couple in rotation with complementary coupling means (25) which belong to the drive device (16) and which are coupled in rotation to the drive shaft (18).