Floor Sweeper Clutch and Dust Bin Design for Jam Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sweepers face issues with motor and agitator damage due to jamming, inconvenient dust bin emptying, and cumbersome handle management, particularly when operating in both forward and reverse directions.
Innovation Solution
A sweeper design featuring a top-accessible dust bin, a clutch mechanism with ramped slip surfaces to prevent agitator damage, and a retractable ramp mechanism for efficient debris collection, along with a pivotable handle assembly that securely retains the handle in a vertical position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a powered agitator is used to rotate the sweeper brush, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the risk of motor and agitator damage due to jamming increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating a clutch mechanism with ramped surfaces that allows slip under excessive load conditions. This preemptive design feature protects the motor and agitator from damage by permitting controlled slippage when jamming occurs, rather than allowing catastrophic failure. The clutch mechanism is positioned to engage before damage can occur, cushioning the system against harmful forces.
2Device complexity
If the dust bin is mounted in the sweeper housing requiring cover removal, then structural integration is improved, but the ease of emptying the dust bin deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by making the dust bin a separate, removable component rather than a fixed integrated cavity. The dust bin can be detached from the sweeper housing and emptied independently, eliminating the need to remove the entire housing cover. This segmentation maintains structural integration during operation while dramatically improving ease of emptying by allowing the dust bin to be accessed and emptied as a separate unit.
3Productivity
If a fixed wiper strip is positioned along the agitator opening, then debris collection is improved, but the convenience of operation during reverse movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the wiper strip movable rather than fixed. The wiper strip can be adjusted in position along the agitator opening, allowing it to be moved away from the opening during reverse movement to prevent pushing debris away. During forward movement, the wiper strip is positioned to contact the surface and guide debris toward the agitator opening, optimizing debris collection. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between debris collection effectiveness and operational convenience.
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 design enhances operational safety by preventing agitator damage, simplifies dust bin emptying, and improves debris collection efficiency, while allowing for easy handle management during both forward and reverse operations.
Implementation Method 1
a clutch mechanism with ramped slip surfaces to prevent agitator damage
Data Source
AI summary
A powered floor sweeper comprises a foot assembly with a motor driven primary agitator and a pair of edge agitators coupled to wheels such that manual propulsion of the sweeper rotates the wheels and thereby the edge agitators. The sweeper includes a slip clutch mechanism to protect the primary agitator and the motor in case the agitator become jammed. Additionally, the sweeper comprises a ramp assembly along an agitator opening to help collect dirt and dust at the primary agitator. A dust bin removably mounted in an open top dust bin recess is in communication with the agitator opening and receives the dirt and dust collected at the agitator opening. Furthermore, the sweeper comprises a handle assembly having a detent mechanism that interacts with a pivot cradle in the foot assembly to retain the handle assembly in a generally vertical position.