Selfpropelled and self-steering floor cleaning machine and cleaning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor cleaning systems have complex constructions with numerous moving parts and suffer from dirt particles being stirred up, leading to contamination of the cleaning brush and surrounding environment, and inefficient dirt collection due to the design of the dirt collection container.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning device with a valve device integrated into the dirt collection container, actuated by air pressure to control the dirt outlet opening, allowing for easy removal of dirt particles through suction or blowing, eliminating the need for actively moving parts and simplifying the construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If actively actuatable flaps are arranged on the bottom wall of the dirt collection container, then dirt particles can be removed from the container, but the construction becomes complicated and dirt particles may miss the grate and soil the extraction station
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the active actuation mechanism from the dirt collection container system and replaces it with a passive valve body that opens automatically under pressure differential. This eliminates the need for motors, sensors, and control systems while maintaining effective dirt removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body serves itself by automatically opening when the pressure differential between the container interior and exterior exceeds a threshold. The system uses the existing suction pressure to open the valve and the elastic restoration to close it, without requiring external active control.
2Productivity
If compressed air is applied to whirl up dirt particles for removal, then dirt particles can be removed from the container, but the construction becomes complicated with numerous components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses pneumatic pressure differential (suction pressure during cleaning operation) to actuate the valve body, replacing complex active actuation systems. The elastic element stores mechanical energy to ensure reliable valve opening and closing without additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces active mechanical actuation systems (motors, flaps, conveyors) with a passive mechanical valve body actuated by pressure differential and elastic restoration, significantly reducing component count while maintaining functionality.
3Productivity
If the dirt outlet opening is opened to remove dirt particles, then dirt collection is efficient, but dirt particles may escape into the environment without being sucked off
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body responds to the pressure differential feedback between container interior and exterior. When suction is active and pressure differential is sufficient, the valve opens to allow dirt removal. When suction stops or pressure equalizes, the elastic element closes the valve to prevent escape.
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 solution enables efficient and reliable dirt collection and cleaning of the cleaning brush, preventing dirt from escaping into the environment, while simplifying the construction and reducing the risk of mechanical failures, by using air pressure to open and close the valve device, facilitating easy alignment with a suction station for effective dirt removal.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one valve body is subjected to negative pressure on its side facing away from the container interior and/or to excess pressure on its side facing the container interior
Implementation Method 2
a suction unit for subjecting the interior of the container to negative pressure, so that dirt particles can be sucked into the interior of the container
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning device which comprises at least one cleaning aggregate (33, 51) and a dirt collecting container (42) which has a container interior (44), a bottom (56), a dirt inlet opening (48), and a dirt outlet opening (58), wherein dirt particles can be transferred by means of the at least one clearing aggregate (33, 51) into the container interior (44) and the dirt outlet opening (58) is formed on the bottom (56). In order to provide a floor cleaning device of this type, which enables a simple removal of dirt particles from the dirt collecting container while achieving a simple construction, it is proposed according to the invention that the floor cleaning device (14) has a valve device (60) arranged on the dirt outlet opening (58) comprising at least one valve body (62, 64) which, in a closed position, forms the bottom (56) at least in sections and closes the dirt outlet opening (58), and which can transfer into an open position, in which the dirt outlet opening (58) is at least partially released, and that the valve device (60) can be activated by air pressure for transferring the at least one valve body (62, 64) from the closed position into the open position. The invention further relates to a cleaning system.