Sweeping machine for floors and carpets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mini-sweepers are ineffective on both hard floors and carpets, fail to prevent dust suspension in indoor environments, and are not suitable for allergic subjects due to mechanical dust lifting, with limited power and high cost for professional models.

Innovation Solution

A sweeping machine with two contrarotating cleaning rollers driven by an electric motor, integrated suction means, and a filtration system, allowing efficient dust and debris collection and retention, comparable to professional carpet cleaning machines but with lower energy consumption and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If mechanical collection with bristle roller is used, then device complexity is reduced, but dust and debris remain suspended in air causing harmful effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoiddust suspension
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines mechanical collection (brushes) and suction collection into a single integrated system. The brushes mechanically lift dust and debris while the suction system simultaneously captures and removes particles from the air, merging two collection methods to eliminate dust suspension without significantly increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The suction system acts as an intermediary between the mechanical brushes and the collection container. Instead of relying solely on brushes to deposit dust, the suction system mediates by capturing particles in the air stream and directing them to the container, preventing dust from remaining suspended

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If professional mini-sweepers with toothed belt and electronic board are used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the complex electronic overload control board and toothed belt system from professional mini-sweepers. Instead, it uses a simple flat belt clutch system that provides reliable overload protection through mechanical slip, maintaining reliability while significantly reducing device complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a simple flat belt that can wear and be replaced easily, rather than using expensive electronic control systems. This approach accepts that the belt is a consumable component, maintaining reliability through simplicity and ease of replacement rather than through complex electronic protection systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Use of energy by moving object

If low power motor (20-50 W) is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but cleaning efficiency on carpets and bare floors becomes minimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcleaning efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges mechanical agitation from brushes with suction force to achieve effective cleaning with low power consumption. The combination of mechanical lifting action and suction creates a synergistic effect that improves cleaning efficiency on both carpets and bare floors without requiring high power input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses pneumatic suction force to augment the mechanical action of the brushes. The suction system creates air flow that lifts and removes particles, working in conjunction with the mechanical brushes to achieve effective cleaning with minimal power consumption from the motor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

4Device complexity

If single roller with bristles is used, then device complexity is reduced, but cleaning efficiency on carpets and floors with gaps is minimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidcleaning efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cleaning function by using multiple brushes (including rotating brushes and fixed brushes) instead of a single roller. This segmentation allows different brush types to handle different surface conditions, improving cleaning efficiency on carpets and floors with gaps while keeping the overall device relatively simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 machine effectively removes dust from floors and carpets, achieving higher efficiency than mini-sweepers and comparable performance to professional cleaners with lower power consumption, while being versatile and adaptable for different cleaning tasks.

Implementation Method 1

means (20) for the suction of air from a region (21) proximate to the cleaning rollers (16, 17); The suction means 20 are driven by the same electric motor 18 that drives the cleaning rollers 16 and 17. an air conveyor 39 that is contoured to aspirate from the region 21 between the two cleaning rollers 16 and 17

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP3448217B1Sweeping machine for floors and carpets
Publication Date: 2022.09.28 LINDHAUS
  • EP3448217B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3448217B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3448217B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

A sweeping machine (10) for floors and carpets, comprising a body (11) with wheels for gliding (12, 13) and a maneuvering handle (14), the body supporting at least one cleaning roller (16, 17) that has a horizontal axis and is actuated by an electric motor (18) by virtue of torque transmission means (19); there are means (20) for the suction of air from a region (21) proximate to the at least one cleaning roller (16, 17), the suction means (20) being actuated by the same electric motor (18) for driving the at least one cleaning roller (16, 17).