A vacuum cleaner head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaners require users to stop and change attachments or adjust settings to effectively clean different types of floors, which disrupts the cleaning process and reduces performance on varying surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner head with an array of flexible flaps arranged in a non-linear configuration, allowing for improved air resistance and detritus pick-up by creating a non-linear flow path and forming a seal with the surface while allowing large particles to pass through, enhancing cleaning performance on both hard and soft floors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different vacuum cleaner attachments are provided for different floor types, then cleaning performance on different surfaces is improved, but the user must stop vacuuming and replace attachments, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum cleaner head is designed with a universal array of flexible flaps that can adapt to different floor types (hard floors, soft floors, carpets) without requiring attachment changes. The flaps perform multiple functions: sealing against different surfaces, allowing detritus passage, and creating turbulence for enhanced suction, making the single device effective across various cleaning scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible flaps are designed to be dynamically adaptable rather than static. They can flex and adjust their configuration based on the surface they contact, automatically adapting to different floor types during continuous operation without requiring user intervention to change attachments.
2Reliability
If an adjustable brush unit is provided to maximize performance on different surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the user must stop vacuuming to make adjustments, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible flaps are self-adjusting and require no user intervention. They automatically adapt to different surfaces through their inherent flexibility and resilient properties, eliminating the need for the user to stop and manually adjust settings or brush configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its physical parameters (flexibility, seal contact pressure, flow path configuration) automatically based on the surface type encountered, rather than requiring manual parameter adjustments by the user. The flaps' resilient nature allows them to conform to different surface characteristics dynamically.
3Reliability
If flexible flaps are arranged to create a non-linear flow path to maximize air resistance and vacuum generation, then cleaning performance is improved, but the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-linear flow path is achieved through curved and angled flap arrangements rather than straight lines. The flaps are positioned at various angles and in staggered rows, creating a tortuous flow path that increases air resistance and turbulence. This curved geometry is more effective at generating vacuum while remaining manufacturable using standard molding techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The array of flexible flaps is divided into multiple rows with specific spacing relationships. The segmentation into discrete flap elements allows the complex non-linear flow path to be achieved through simple, repetitive geometric patterns that are easy to manufacture and maintain.
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 flexible flap arrangement maximizes vacuum generation, aids in detritus dislodgement, and ensures effective pick-up of hair and other debris without obstructing large particles, providing improved cleaning efficiency across different floor types without the need for frequent adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
an array of flexible flaps protruding from the base configured to act on a surface to be cleaned... due to the resilience of the flaps
Implementation Method 2
create a non-linear path to the suction opening which will help maximise air resistance and so ensure a high vacuum is generated
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present application relates to a vacuum cleaner head (2). The vacuum cleaner head (2) has a base (10) and a suction opening (8) in the base (10). An array (35) of flexible flaps (40) protrude from the base (10). The flexible flaps (40) are configured to act on a surface to be cleaned. The flexible flaps (40) are spaced from each other to allow the passage of detritus therebetween in a predefined arrangement. The predefined arrangement of the flexible flaps (40) is configured to promote a non-linear flow path through the array (35) of flexible flaps (40) between an end of the base (15, 16) and the suction opening (8). A gap (39) between first and second rows (36, 37) of flaps (40) is substantially equal to or greater than a space (43) between adjacent flexible flaps (40) in each of the first and second rows. The present application also relates to a vacuum cleaner (1) comprising a vacuum cleaner head (2).