Self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional floor cleaning devices are inadequate in achieving thorough cleaning of floor surfaces, as they either rely solely on sweeping or wet cleaning methods, failing to effectively remove both loose and embedded dirt particles.

Innovation Solution

A self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning device equipped with a sweeping roller and a wiping roller, where the sweeping roller is followed by the wiping roller in the direction of movement, allowing for simultaneous sweeping and wet cleaning, with separate dirt containers for each roller to collect dirt efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a floor cleaning device uses only a sweeping roller, then it can remove loose dirt, but it cannot effectively remove embedded dirt particles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning thoroughnessVSAvoidcleaning method variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a sweeping roller and a wiping roller into a single cleaning device. The sweeping roller removes loose dirt through mechanical sweeping action, while the wiping roller with cleaning liquid removes embedded dirt particles through wet cleaning. Both rollers operate simultaneously on the same floor surface, merging two different cleaning methods into one integrated system to achieve comprehensive cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If a floor cleaning device uses only a wiping roller, then it can remove embedded dirt, but it cannot effectively remove loose dirt particles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning thoroughnessVSAvoidcleaning method variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates both sweeping and wet cleaning functions in one device. The sweeping roller handles loose dirt removal through bristle mechanical action, while the wiping roller handles embedded dirt through contact with cleaning liquid. The two rollers work in parallel to provide versatile cleaning capabilities that address different types of soil contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the cleaning device has separate dirt containers for each roller, then dirt collection efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirt collection efficiencyVSAvoidcontainer configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the dirt collection system into separate containers for the sweeping roller and wiping roller. This segmentation allows dirt from each cleaning mechanism to be collected independently, preventing mixing of dry loose dirt and wet embedded dirt. The separate containers improve productivity by enabling efficient dirt removal and container replacement, despite increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration enables improved cleaning results by first sweeping loose dirt with the brushing roller and then wet cleaning the surface with the wiping roller, ensuring effective removal of both loose and embedded dirt particles, enhancing the overall cleaning efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

a sweeping roller (38) for sweeping the floor surface (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a wiping roller (46) for wet cleaning of the floor surface (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3592193B1Self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning device
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP3592193B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3592193B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3592193B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning device. The floor cleaning device (10) comprises a drive unit (16) for moving on a floor surface (12) which is to be cleaned, a cleaning unit (36) comprising a cleaning roller (46) for wet cleaning the floor surface (12), and a brush roller (38) for brushing the floor surface (12), a cleaning liquid container (56) for a cleaning liquid and at least one dirt reservoir (60; 122, 124) for dirt collected from the floor surface (12), wherein the floor surface (12) can be cleaned in the same step with the brush roller (38) and the cleaning roller (46).