Accessory for a suction nozzle of vacuum cleaners or the like

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional suction nozzles for vacuum cleaners compromise on suction efficiency when cleaning hard and smooth surfaces like marble, cement, or tiles, while maintaining adequate performance on carpeted or pile surfaces.

Innovation Solution

An accessory with a main body featuring elongate slots and strips of sliding material, such as fibrous or synthetic fibers, is coupled with the suction nozzle to enhance suction efficiency on smooth surfaces without altering performance on other types. The accessory includes a first strip along the front edge and a second strip along the rear edge of the slot, with optional stabilizing strips, and is securely attached using adhesives or mechanical fasteners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional suction nozzle is designed to clean both hard surfaces and carpets, then it maintains adequate performance on carpeted surfaces, but suction efficiency on hard and smooth surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning capability on multiple surface typesVSAvoidsuction efficiency on hard surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction nozzle is divided into modular components: a base plate for hard surfaces and an interchangeable accessory (brush roll or extension tube) for carpeted surfaces. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between versatility and specialized performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suction nozzle incorporates adjustable elements such as variable brush roll heights, adjustable air flows, and interchangeable attachments that can be dynamically configured based on the surface type being cleaned, enabling optimal performance across different surface conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the suction nozzle is optimized for hard surfaces, then suction efficiency on smooth surfaces improves, but performance on carpeted or pile surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction efficiency on smooth surfacesVSAvoidcleaning capability on carpeted surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The suction nozzle employs universal coupling mechanisms and interchangeable attachments that enable a single base unit to perform effectively on multiple surface types. The base plate with optimized suction characteristics for hard surfaces can accommodate various attachments for carpets, maintaining versatility while achieving superior performance on smooth surfaces.

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

3Device complexity

If a single suction nozzle design is used for all surface types, then device complexity is reduced, but suction efficiency on specific surfaces like marble or tiles deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction nozzle structureVSAvoidsuction efficiency on specific surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction nozzle is segmented into a simple base plate and separate functional attachments. The base plate maintains a straightforward structure for ease of manufacture, while specialized attachments (brush rolls, extension tubes) provide surface-specific optimization without complicating the core design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A universal coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the simple base plate and various specialized attachments. This mediator enables easy interchange of components, allowing the system to achieve high suction efficiency on specific surfaces like marble or tiles without permanently increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 accessory significantly improves suction efficiency on smooth surfaces, achieving suction values higher than 111% compared to conventional nozzles, which typically reach around 102%, without compromising performance on other surface types.

Implementation Method 1

a first strip of a sliding material is provided substantially along a front edge of the elongate slot and a second strip of a sliding material is provided substantially along a rear edge of the elongate slot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2989954B1Accessory for a suction nozzle of vacuum cleaners or the like
Publication Date: 2022.02.09 NEW ERMES EURO
  • EP2989954B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2989954B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2989954B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A suction nozzle is described, said nozzle comprising a base plate shaped so as to have at least one channel open towards a surface to be vacuumed, a suction channel in fluid communication with the base plate channel and a covering body, wherein the suction nozzle further comprises an accessory configured to be removably coupled with the suction nozzle in the region of the base plate, wherein said accessory comprises a main body with an upper face, a lower face facing the surface to be vacuumed, and an elongate slot, wherein said accessory also comprises a first strip of a sliding material arranged substantially along the entire front edge of the elongate slot and a second strip of a sliding material arranged substantially along the entire rear edge of the elongate slot.