Self-propelled floor cleaning appliance comprising a floor cleaning roller for applying a floor cleaning liquid
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Self-propelled floor care devices face issues with floor care liquid leakage during storage, especially when pre-filled or partially used, leading to unwanted evaporation and loss of product.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled floor care device with a dual-hollow roller system where the inner roller body is sealed relative to the outer roller body, using a valve mechanism and membrane or fiber plugs to prevent liquid escape until rotation, allowing controlled dispensing of floor care liquid during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the floor care roller is pre-filled with floor care liquid by the manufacturer, then the roller is ready for immediate use, but the floor care liquid can escape undesirably during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The roller is divided into an outer roller body and an inner roller body that can move relative to each other. The inner roller body contains the floor care liquid and can be sealed within the outer roller body during storage, then exposed during operation through relative movement, thus preventing liquid escape while maintaining readiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner roller body is nested inside the outer roller body. The inner roller body can be positioned within the outer roller body to seal the liquid during storage, and moved outward during operation to allow liquid dispensing, effectively nesting the liquid-containing component within the protective outer structure.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the floor care roller stores floor care liquid for longer periods, then the roller can be prepared in advance, but the liquid may evaporate or leak
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the roller into movable inner and outer bodies, the liquid-containing inner body can be hermetically sealed within the outer body during long-term storage. The segmentation allows the liquid to be isolated from the environment while still being accessible when needed, enabling extended storage without evaporation or leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner roller body can be designed as a disposable or replaceable component that is pre-filled and sealed. After use, it can be discarded and replaced with a fresh pre-filled inner body, eliminating the need for long-term storage of liquid-filled rollers and preventing degradation over time.
3Ease of operation
If a pump system is used to apply floor care liquid, then liquid can be applied in controlled amounts, but the system becomes expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The inner roller body itself serves as the liquid delivery mechanism. As the roller rotates during operation, the inner roller body moves relative to the outer roller body, automatically exposing the liquid and allowing it to be applied to the floor without requiring an external pump system. The roller's own rotation provides the necessary action for liquid dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex pump system is replaced with a simple mechanical arrangement where the relative movement between the inner and outer roller bodies during rotation controls liquid exposure. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for expensive pumps, valves, and control systems while maintaining controlled liquid application.
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
Prevents floor care liquid from escaping during storage and ensures controlled application during use, maintaining product integrity and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
bores arranged in a lateral surface of the outer roller body can be covered on at least one side by a membrane, preferably made of a synthetic material, in particular a textile material
Implementation Method 2
The rotation of the roller applies the floor care liquid to the floor and works it into it
Data Source
Figure 1~2c
Figure 3~4b
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a self-propelled floor care device for the automated care of floor areas, having a drive system (3) for moving the floor care device over the floor area to be cared for and a device controller, which controls the floor care device along a path, and a rotatable floor care roller (20) containing floor care liquid (20). 10), for applying the floor care liquid (20) to the floor surface to be cared for. The self-propelled floor-care device is characterized in that the floor-care roller (10) has an outer, hollow roller body (11), in which an inner, hollow roller body (15) that can be moved relative to the outer roller body (11) is arranged for receiving the floor-care liquid (20), wherein the inner roller body (15) is sealed depending on its position relative to the outer roller body (11) in such a way that floor care liquid (20) is prevented from escaping from the inner roller body (15).