Surface-cleaning machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surface cleaning machines face challenges in achieving extensive cleaning options with a simple structural design while minimizing false air suction, which affects the efficiency and performance of the suction unit.

Innovation Solution

The surface cleaning machine features a cleaning roller designed in two parts with separate suction areas, allowing for optimized extraction by preventing false air and enabling central drive for efficient cleaning on both sides near the edges, along with a modular suction pipe system and a pivoting mechanism for accessing hard-to-reach areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single suction mouth is used for the entire cleaning roller length, then the structure is simple, but false air is drawn over the middle area reducing suction performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction performanceVSAvoidsuction mouth arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction mouth is divided into multiple independent suction openings (first suction opening and second suction opening) positioned at different locations along the cleaning roller. Each suction opening serves a specific section (first area or second area), preventing false air from being drawn over the middle area and improving overall suction performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If drive elements are positioned near the edge for cleaning both sides, then cleaning coverage is extensive, but the structure becomes complex with multiple storage points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning coverageVSAvoiddrive element arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple drive elements are merged into a single centralized drive mechanism positioned at the middle area. This central drive can effectively drive the cleaning roller to clean both sides near the edges without requiring separate drive elements at each edge, thereby maintaining extensive cleaning coverage while simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a high-performance blower motor is used to handle false air drafts, then suction performance is maintained, but the device weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction performanceVSAvoidblower motor weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The source of false air drafts (the middle area) is eliminated by removing the need for a single large suction mouth that would draw false air. Instead, multiple targeted suction openings are positioned only where needed (first and second areas), extracting only the necessary suction function without the harmful false air effect, thus allowing for a lighter blower motor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design enhances suction performance, reduces the need for high-performance blower motors, allows for easier operation, and provides extensive cleaning capabilities with a compact and efficient structural layout.

Implementation Method 1

a suction unit device (32) arranged on the device body (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3206547B1Surface-cleaning machine
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP3206547B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3206547B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3206547B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a surface-cleaning machine, which comprises a device body (12), on which a suction unit apparatus (32) is arranged, a cleaning head (202; 202'; 202"), on which at least one cleaning roller (18) is arranged, and a driving apparatus (76) for rotationally driving the at least one cleaning roller (18). Between a first end face (208) and an opposite second end face (210), the cleaning head (202; 202'; 202") has a first region (212), a second region (214), and a center region (216) lying between the first region (210) and the second region (214). At least one first suction opening (222; 266a, 266b) is positioned at the first region (210) in association with the at least one cleaning roller (18), and at least one second suction opening (224; 268a, 268b) is positioned at the second region (214) in association with the at least one cleaning roller (18). The at least one first suction opening (222; 266a, 266b) and the at least one second suction opening (224; 268a, 268b) are fluidically connected to the suction unit apparatus (32).