Vacuum cleaning utensil having rotating brush
Solution Overview
Problem
Current side brushes on robot vacuum cleaners lack control over brush contact with surfaces, leading to inefficient dirt collection and increased wear, as they cannot accurately define the part of the rotation where the brush is in contact with the surface or released from it.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaning utensil with a rotating brush arranged about a substantially vertical axis, utilizing a guide to push the brush towards the surface during part of its rotation and release it at a controlled point, combined with the brush axis being angled between 5 to 30 degrees, ensuring efficient dirt collection and suction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the side brush continuously contacts the surface during full rotation, then dirt collection area is increased, but brush wear increases and dirt is not properly positioned for suction
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure causes the brush to periodically contact and release from the surface during rotation. The guide has a first portion that pushes the brush toward the surface and a second portion that allows release, creating periodic contact cycles that collect dirt efficiently while reducing continuous wear
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation cycle is segmented into distinct phases: a contact phase where the brush collects dirt while being pushed by the guide, and a release phase where the brush is lifted away from the surface. This segmentation allows optimized dirt collection during contact and wear reduction during release
2Productivity
If the brush is constantly pressed against the surface, then dirt collection is maximized, but the brush deforms and wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure implements periodic pressing and releasing of the brush. During the pressing phase, dirt collection is maximized; during the releasing phase, the brush recovers from deformation and wear is reduced. This periodic action maintains structural integrity while achieving effective dirt collection
Solution Approach 2:
The brush contact force is made dynamic rather than static. The guide structure allows the brush to be pressed against the surface only when needed for dirt collection, and released when not needed, creating a dynamic system that adapts to the cleaning requirements while preserving brush strength
3Adaptability or versatility
If the brush rotation is uncontrolled, then the brush can reach more areas, but dirt is not collected in the desired location for suction
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure provides mechanical feedback control for brush positioning. The guide's geometry determines precisely when and where the brush contacts the surface and releases it, ensuring dirt is deposited in the optimal location for suction while maintaining the brush's ability to reach various areas
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure acts as an intermediary between the brush rotation and the surface contact. It mediates the interaction by controlling the timing and location of brush-surface contact, ensuring dirt is collected and positioned accurately for suction while allowing the brush to maintain its rotational reach
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cleaning utensil has a brush arranged for rotating about a substantially vertical axis. Further, the vacuum cleaning utensil has a guide for pushing the brush towards a surface to be cleaned during only a part of the rotation of the brush. During another part of the rotation, the brush is released from the surface to be cleaned.