Surface Cleaner Agitator Air Gap Design to Prevent Debris Tangling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaners face issues with debris, particularly hair, becoming tangled in the axial gap between the agitator and the end cap, leading to performance degradation and cleaning difficulties.
Innovation Solution
The surface cleaner is designed with a configuration that blows air into the axial gap between the agitator and the end cap, using an impeller blower mounted on the same motor shaft as the agitator, to prevent debris from settling and tangling. This includes a conduit system that directs air through openings in the end cap and agitator to effectively expel debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air is blown into the axial gap between the agitator and end cap, then debris is prevented from settling and tangling, but the device complexity increases due to additional air channel components
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing motor shaft and motor housing to provide air blowing functionality. The motor housing that already exists for mounting the motor is utilized to direct air flow into the axial gap, eliminating the need for separate air directing components and making the system self-sufficient without additional parts
Solution Approach 2:
The motor housing serves dual purposes: it provides structural support for mounting the motor and simultaneously functions as an air channel to direct air flow into the axial gap between the agitator and end cap. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the system
2Reliability
If the impeller blower is mounted on a separate motor shaft, then air blowing functionality is achieved, but the device complexity and parts quantity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air blowing functionality is merged with the existing motor assembly. Instead of adding a separate impeller blower motor, the system combines the air channel function with the motor housing, and uses the existing motor shaft to drive both the agitator (via drive belt) and the impeller blower, reducing the total number of motors and shafts
Solution Approach 2:
The motor housing acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates air flow from the motor area into the axial gap. It serves as the medium through which air is directed without requiring separate air moving components, bridging the functional gap between the motor and the cleaning mechanism
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 effectively inhibits debris from lodging in the axial gap, ensuring optimal performance and ease of cleaning by preventing hair and other debris from becoming entangled, thus maintaining the cleaner's efficiency and usability.
Implementation Method 1
an impeller blower mounted on the motor shaft
Implementation Method 2
hair picked up from the cleaning surface by suction of the surface cleaner
Data Source
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AI summary
A surface cleaner (10) includes a base housing assembly (36) defining an agitator chamber (52), and includes an end cap (48), a bearing (62) disposed axially adjacent to the end cap (48), and an agitator (50) rotatably supported on the bearing (62) for rotation about an axis of rotation in the agitator chamber (52). The end cap (48) and the agitator (50) define an axial gap (46) between an axial end of the agitator (50) and the end cap (48). The surface cleaner (10) includes a motor shaft (74) spaced apart from the agitator (50), a drive belt (66) operatively connecting the motor shaft (74) and the agitator (50), and a motor (76) connected with the motor shaft (74) and operable to rotatably drive the agitator (50) via the motor shaft (74) and drive belt (66). The surface cleaner includes an impeller blower (44) mounted on the motor shaft (74), and a conduit system (40) at least partially defining an air channel (42) directing air blown by the impeller (44) blower into the axial gap (46).