Side brush assembly for a floor cleaning machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor cleaning machines with side brush arrangements require significant longitudinal space due to pivoted arms, limiting maneuverability and increasing the distance between axle arrangements, which can lead to contamination from dirt not detected by the cleaning device.
Innovation Solution
A side brush arrangement with a frame element attached to the machine frame, allowing the side broom carrier to move in a pivoting plane perpendicular to the floor surface, eliminating the need for swivel arms and reducing the longitudinal space requirement, while maintaining the ability to adjust the side brooms' position relative to the direction of travel and floor surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If side brushes are mounted on arms that pivot around vertical axes, then the side brushes can avoid obstacles and adjust position, but the arrangement takes up too much longitudinal space to be installed between the axle arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The side brush carrier is constrained to move within a pivot plane that is oriented perpendicular to the floor surface and transverse to the direction of travel. This changes the dimension of movement from vertical pivoting (requiring longitudinal space) to horizontal movement within a vertical plane (requiring minimal longitudinal space), thereby resolving the contradiction between adjustability and space requirement
Solution Approach 2:
A frame element is introduced as an intermediary structure that is fastened to the machine frame and provides the pivot plane for the side brush carrier. This intermediary element enables the side brush to achieve adjustable positioning without requiring the side brush itself to be mounted on long pivoting arms, thus reducing the longitudinal space requirement while maintaining adaptability
2Ease of operation
If the distance between axle arrangements is minimized for easy maneuvering, then the machine is more maneuverable, but the space available for installing the side brush arrangement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the pivot plane orientation to be perpendicular to the floor surface rather than parallel to it, the side brush arrangement can achieve its full range of motion within a compact longitudinal footprint. This allows the distance between axle arrangements to be minimized for maneuverability while still providing adequate space for the side brush to pivot and adjust within the available vertical clearance
Data Source
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AI summary
A side brush assembly for a floor cleaning machine is shown and described, comprising a frame element intended for attachment to the machine frame of a floor cleaning machine, wherein the frame element extends along a pivot plane A which can be aligned perpendicular to a floor surface to be cleaned, comprising a side brush which is driven to rotate about a rotation axis C, wherein the rotation axis C is aligned such that, when the side brush assembly is attached to a floor cleaning machine, it extends upwards away from the floor surface to be cleaned, comprising a side brush carrier on which the side brush is rotatably mounted, wherein the side brush carrier is mounted on the frame element in such a way that it can perform a movement in the pivot plane A.