Scraper Blade Snap-Fit Fastening for Easy Floor Washer Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current floor washing-drying machines have complex and time-consuming systems for assembling and disassembling scraping blades, requiring tools and gloves due to rigid locking mechanisms, making maintenance difficult and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A reversible hooking system using flexible belts with elastic ends and mushroom-shaped support elements for easy snap-engagement and disengagement of blades, eliminating the need for screws or mobile hooks and reducing the number of components to handle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid locking means with screw-like mobile hooked devices are used to fasten blades, then the blades are securely fastened to the support, but the assembly and disassembly operations become complex and time-consuming, requiring tools and gloves
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into separate functional elements: support elements with locking protrusions on the support structure, and corresponding locking recesses on the blade. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall assembly process by eliminating complex integrated mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the screw-like mobile hooked devices from the fastening system, replacing them with a direct snap-fit connection between blade locking recesses and support locking protrusions. This removal of unnecessary intermediate components simplifies the assembly operation significantly.
Solution Approach 3:
The fastening system is designed to be self-servicing through the snap-fit connection mechanism that automatically engages and locks the blade to the support without requiring external tools or complex manipulation. The complementary shapes of locking protrusions and recesses enable automatic alignment and secure fastening.
2Reliability
If complex locking means are used to fasten blades, then the blades remain securely in position during operation, but the maintenance operations become difficult and require specialized tools
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex locking means that require tools to release, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple snap-fit connection that can be easily disengaged by reversing the assembly action. The blade can be removed by simply pulling it away from the support, eliminating the need for specialized tools or complex release mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade design incorporates simple locking recesses that can be easily replaced if worn or damaged, treating the blade as a consumable component. This approach prioritizes ease of replacement over long-term durability of the fastening features themselves, aligning with the principle of using simple, replaceable components.
3Force
If multiple components are used in the fastening system, then the blade can be securely compressed onto the floor, but the number of parts to handle increases assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the compression and locking functions into a single integrated snap-fit connection. The support elements with locking protrusions simultaneously provide both the compressive force needed to press the blade onto the floor and the locking mechanism to secure the blade in position, eliminating the need for separate compression springs or additional locking components.
Solution Approach 2:
The support elements serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, generate compressive force against the blade, create the locking connection through protrusions, and guide blade alignment. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count while maintaining secure blade fastening and compression.
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
The system simplifies maintenance by allowing quick and tool-free assembly and disassembly of blades, ensuring efficient compression and adherence without compromising reliability, thus reducing operational time and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
opposite ends with an elastic end portion (61, 71)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a washing-drying machine (10) comprising a scraping device (2) provided with a reversible fastening system of scraping blades (4, 5). In particular, the invention relates to a reversible fastening system which makes it possible to apply the scraping blades to the scraping device in a simple and safe way and as simply to remove them in order to clean them or replace them when worn out through flexible fastening means provided with holes (63, 73) for engaging with support elements (33A, 33B) provided on the scraping device, and provided with at least an elastic end portion (61, 71 ) with a slot (62, 72) for engaging with the undercut of a corresponding locking element (34A, 34B), formed in the proximity of the end portions of said support (3).