Vacuum cleaning utensil having rotating brush
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current side brushes on robot vacuum cleaners lack control over brush contact with surfaces, leading to inefficient dirt collection and increased wear, as they cannot accurately define the part of the rotation where the brush is in contact with the surface or released from it.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaning utensil with a rotating brush arranged about a substantially vertical axis, utilizing a guide to push the brush towards the surface during part of its rotation and release it at a controlled point, combined with an angled brush axis to optimize dirt collection and suction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the side brush continuously contacts the surface during full rotation, then dirt collection coverage is increased, but brush wear increases and dirt is not properly positioned for suction
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure creates periodic contact between the brush and surface during rotation, with the brush being pushed toward the surface during specific angular positions and released during others. This periodic engagement allows dirt collection during contact phases while reducing wear during release phases, and positions dirt appropriately for suction at the release point.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush rotation is segmented into distinct phases: contact phases where the brush engages the surface for dirt collection, and release phases where the brush is lifted for dirt deposition and reduced wear. The guide structure with its varying height creates these segmented operational zones around the rotation path.
2Reliability
If the side brush is released from the surface at any point during rotation, then brush wear is reduced, but dirt collection control and suction positioning become inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure implements periodic engagement and release of the brush during rotation, creating optimized zones for dirt collection and deposition. The release occurs at specific angular positions where dirt can be effectively deposited for suction, while contact occurs at positions optimized for dirt pickup.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure acts as an intermediary mechanism that controls the brush's contact with the surface. By using the guide's varying height profile, the system indirectly controls brush engagement and release, achieving both wear reduction and efficient dirt collection positioning without direct active control of the brush itself.
3Device complexity
If no guide structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but control over brush contact timing and position is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is passively actuated by the brush's own rotation and weight, automatically creating the engagement and release cycles without requiring external actuators or complex control systems. The varying height of the guide itself provides the control mechanism, making the system self-regulating and mechanically simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure utilizes a curved or cam-shaped profile that naturally converts rotational motion into vertical brush movement. This curved geometry automatically creates the timing and positioning of brush contact and release points, achieving precise control through simple geometric form rather than complex mechanical linkages.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
In a vacuum cleaning utensil having a brush (B) arranged for rotating about a substantially vertical axis (A), the vacuum cleaning utensil is provided with a guide (G) for pushing the brush (B) towards a surface (S) to be cleaned during only a part of the rotation of the brush (B), while during another part of the rotation the brush (B) is released from the surface (S). Preferably, the guide (G) has a height that varies along a circumference of the guide (G) so as to define the part of the rotation where the brush (B) is pushed towards the surface (S), preferably where the brush (B) is facing away from a suction mouth (M), the brush (B) being arranged for being released from the surface (S) where the brush (B) is facing the suction mouth (M). A height of the guide (G), or at least a part of the guide (G) that pushes the brush (B) most towards the surface (S), may be between 5 and 15 mm, preferably not exceeding 10 mm. Preferably, the brush (B) is mounted at an angle (a) with respect to the vertical, which angle (a) may be between 5 and 30 degrees, and is preferably between 15 and 25 degrees. A vacuum cleaner is advantageously provided with a nozzle formed by such a vacuum cleaner utensil. A robot vacuum cleaner (RVC) is advantageously formed by such a vacuum cleaning utensil.