Segmented Gutter Broom With Dual-Stiffness Bristle Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sweepers face challenges in efficiently cleaning surfaces with varying materials and debris types, often causing damage due to abrasive contact and requiring inefficient manufacturing processes.

Innovation Solution

A gutter broom design featuring segmented block segments with varying bristle stiffness and positioning, including first and second bristles with different stiffness, arranged in specific patterns to adapt to different surfaces, and a modular structure for efficient manufacturing and surface adaptation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a gutter broom uses uniform bristles for all cleaning tasks, then the structure is simple, but it cannot effectively clean diverse surfaces without causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface adaptabilityVSAvoidbristle configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gutter broom implements local quality by incorporating bristles with different stiffness values (first bristles with lower stiffness, second bristles with higher stiffness) in specific positions within the block segment. The softer bristles contact the surface first to prevent damage, while harder bristles are positioned to handle tougher debris, allowing the broom to adapt to diverse surfaces without requiring a completely different design for each application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If a gutter broom uses a single block segment design, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot be efficiently adapted to different cleaning requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning application adaptabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The gutter broom applies segmentation by dividing the bristle assembly into modular block segments that can be manufactured independently and then assembled together. Each block segment contains a specific pattern of openings for different bristle types, allowing standardized manufacturing of individual segments while enabling flexible configuration of the complete broom head to meet different cleaning requirements through selective assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If bristles are positioned without specific patterns, then the structure is simple, but cleaning effectiveness on diverse surfaces is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidbristle arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bristle arrangement implements local quality by creating specific patterns where softer first bristles are positioned to contact surfaces first for gentle cleaning, while harder second bristles are positioned in alternating or complementary patterns to handle tougher debris. This spatial differentiation of bristle properties within the block segment optimizes cleaning effectiveness across diverse surfaces without requiring complex external mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUSRE50797E1Cable broom

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 OLD DOMINION BRUSH CO

AI summary

A gutter broom is provided. The gutter broom can include one or more block segments, each block segment having openings in which bristles are positioned. The bristles can have a first stiffness or a second stiffness different than the first stiffness. Bristles having the second stiffness can be positioned radially outward of bristles having the first stiffness on a block segment.