Street Sweeper Arm Control for Long-Reach Nozzle Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing street sweeper devices face limitations such as excessive weight, mechanical stress, unreliable angle measurement, and difficulty in maneuvering around obstacles due to fixed or idle arms, leading to reduced operational range and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A device with a motorized first arm and idly hinged second arm, equipped with an angular position sensor and detection device using an oscillating system with a two-axis inclinometer to control the flexible tube's position, allowing for a 15-meter reach and improved maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a dual-motorised facilitator is used to enable multi-directional movement, then the operator can circumvent obstacles with freedom of movement, but the excessive weight makes it difficult to install on medium-sized and small-sized street sweepers and puts stress on the mechanics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the motorisation function from the second arm and relocates it to the first arm. The second arm becomes idle (unmotorized), which reduces the overall weight of the system while maintaining the ability to circumvent obstacles through the combination of one motorized arm and one idle arm configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic configuration where the first arm can be motorized to rotate and position the flexible tube, while the second arm remains idle but can still be rotated manually. This dynamic arrangement allows the system to adapt to different operational needs without requiring both arms to be motorized, thereby reducing weight.
2Ease of operation
If a gear motor is positioned at the joint of the arms to rotate the second arm, then the arms can be rotated to reach obstacles, but it is subject to impacts with branches of plants and other obstacles and undermines the overall reliability of the machine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gear motor from the arm joint and relocates it to the first arm's rotation mechanism. This extraction protects the motor from direct exposure to external impacts (branches, obstacles) while maintaining the rotation capability needed to reach obstacles.
Solution Approach 2:
By positioning the motorized means on the first arm rather than at the joint, the system creates a protective configuration where the motor is shielded from direct impacts with external objects like tree branches, thereby preventing damage before it occurs and maintaining reliability.
3Measurement precision
If the control head is positioned at the free end of the second arm to measure the angle of the flexible tube, then the angle can be measured, but any impact with branches of trees and other obstacles can cause deformations on the structure with consequent error in measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control head and angle measurement function from the end of the second arm and relocates it to the first arm or base structure. This relocation protects the measurement device from direct exposure to impacts with tree branches and obstacles, ensuring continuous and accurate angle measurement without deformation.
4Device complexity
If idle arms are used without motorisation to reduce complexity, then the structure is simpler, but tracking of the arms is not very fluid and the operator cannot work at long distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a hybrid dynamic system where the first arm is motorized to provide active tracking and positioning capability, while the second arm remains idle for structural simplicity. This asymmetric configuration provides fluid tracking and long-distance work capability without requiring both arms to be motorized, thus maintaining relative structural simplicity.
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
Enables reliable and easy maintenance with a broader operational range, reducing errors in position measurement and enhancing usability by adapting to road inclinations and obstacles.
Implementation Method 1
detection device comprising an oscillating system in turn comprising a probe associated with a two-axis inclinometer
Data Source
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AI summary
Device (1) for facilitating sweeping for a street sweeper or a street washer, comprising: a first arm (2) rotatable at one end around a first rotation axis (x); motorised means (10) operatively associated to the first arm (2) in order to place it in rotation around the first axis (X); a second arm (3) hinged idly to the opposite end of the first arm (2); an angular position sensor (4) between the two arms (2, 3); a flexible tube (5) extending along the arms (2, 3); a sweeping nozzle (6) arranged at the end of the flexible tube (5), adapted to dispense water under pressure and graspable by an operator; a control head (7) comprising a detection device (8) for detecting the position of the flexible tube (5), said motorised means (10) being controlled on the basis of the position detected.