Sweeping Machine Suction Nozzle Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sweeping machines lack versatility and ease of maintenance, with suction devices often exposed to damage and soiling during non-sweeping operations, and face challenges in adapting to different applications without compromising performance.

Innovation Solution

A sweeping tool device with a suction mouth device held via a swivel joint, allowing for easy detachment and reconfiguration, enabling the suction mouth device to be removed during non-sweeping operations and allowing for alternative tool usage without exposing it to damage or soiling, while maintaining an optimized suction path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the suction nozzle device is permanently mounted on the chassis, then the suction function is always available, but the suction nozzle is exposed to damage and soiling during non-sweeping operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction function availabilityVSAvoiddamage and soiling to suction nozzle
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The suction nozzle device is segmented from the main chassis and integrated with the sweeping tool device, allowing independent removal of the sweeping tool while keeping the suction device available. This segmentation enables the suction nozzle to be protected during non-sweeping operations while maintaining suction functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suction device is designed with universal mounting capabilities that allow it to function with different sweeping tool attachments. The suction nozzle device can be mounted on various sweeping tools and removed when not in use, providing multi-functional versatility across different operating modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the suction nozzle device is integrated with the sweeping tool device, then the suction function can be optimized for sweeping operations, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction performance during sweepingVSAvoidintegration of sweeping and suction devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction device is merged with the sweeping tool device to form an integrated assembly that optimizes suction performance during sweeping operations. The mounting arrangement on the carrier unit allows the suction nozzle to be positioned ideally for suction, particularly underneath the chassis, while maintaining a relatively simple structural integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the suction nozzle device is mounted on the sweeping tool device, then space is freed for other applications, but the suction nozzle cannot be used for non-sweeping operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace availability for other applicationsVSAvoidsuction nozzle availability for non-sweeping operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting arrangement provides dynamic adaptability, allowing the suction nozzle device to be mounted on the sweeping tool when needed and removed when other applications are required. The carrier unit with its mounting arrangements enables flexible configuration changes based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the suction nozzle is positioned underneath the chassis, then protection against impact damage is improved, but the suction line routing becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact damage protectionVSAvoidsuction line routing
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction nozzle is pre-positioned underneath the chassis on the carrier unit, providing protection against impact damage before operations begin. The mounting arrangement is designed in advance to accommodate this protected position while allowing for straightforward suction line routing to the suction device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3274511B1Sweeping machine
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP3274511B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3274511B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3274511B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sweeping machine is provided, comprising a chassis (12), a sweeping tool device (60), which has at least one sweeping tool (72) and which can be or is releasably mounted on the chassis (12), and a suction device (54) for sucking up dirt from a ground surface (22) to be cleaned, which suction device has a suction unit (56) for generating a suction flow and a suction mouth device (82) with at least one suction opening (84) for applying the suction flow to the ground surface (22) to be cleaned, wherein the suction mouth device (82) is seated on the sweeping tool device (60) and forms a unit with the latter that can be fixed as a whole to the chassis (12) and can be released as a whole from the chassis (12).