An accessory tool for a surface cleaning apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing accessory tools for surface cleaning apparatuses with suction sources are inefficient in carrying dirt-laden air away from surfaces due to suboptimal air flow design.
Innovation Solution
The accessory tool features a neck with first and second passages fluidly connected, where the first passage has a smaller cross-sectional area than the second, forming a constriction that increases air velocity and enhances dirt removal efficiency, along with a dirty air inlet and a connecting portion that fluidly connects to the second passage, optimizing air flow and reducing clamping issues on pliable surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional neck passage design is used, then the structure is simple, but the air flow velocity is insufficient and dirt removal efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The neck passage is segmented into a first passage and a second passage with different cross-sectional areas. The first passage has a smaller cross-sectional area to increase air flow velocity, while the second passage has a larger cross-sectional area to reduce clamping on pliable surfaces. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high dirt removal efficiency and reduced surface clamping without requiring a completely complex redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the passage have different local qualities - the first passage has a constrained cross-sectional area (formed by first and second sides with third and fourth sides extending towards each other) to create high velocity for dirt removal, while the second passage has a larger cross-sectional area to reduce pressure and clamping on pliable surfaces. This local differentiation of passage properties optimizes performance for different functional requirements within the same component.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cross sectional area of the passage is increased, then clamping on pliable surfaces is reduced, but air flow velocity decreases and dirt removal efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The passage is divided into two segments with different cross-sectional areas. The first passage maintains a smaller cross-sectional area to preserve high air flow velocity for effective dirt removal, while the second passage increases the cross-sectional area to reduce clamping forces on pliable surfaces. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by applying different area characteristics to different sections of the flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
The passage structure implements local quality variation where the first passage section has constrained dimensions for velocity maintenance, while the second passage section has expanded dimensions for clamping reduction. The third and fourth sides extending towards each other in the first passage create the velocity-enhancing geometry, while the second passage provides the area expansion needed to minimize surface clamping.
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 tool effectively increases the velocity of air flow, leading to improved dirt removal efficiency and reduced clamping on pliable surfaces, resulting in a more effective suction performance compared to prior art tools.
Implementation Method 1
the first passage has a smaller cross sectional area than the second passage; wherein the first passage has a cross sectional area which is formed by first and second sides connected by third and fourth sides; and wherein the third and fourth sides generally extend towards each other as they extend from the second side to the first side
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An accessory tool for a surface cleaning apparatus, the apparatus including a source of suction, the tool including a body including a dirty air inlet in a tool surface which faces a surface to be cleaned in use; and a neck connected to the body, the neck including first and second passages fluidly connected to each other; wherein the first passage has a smaller cross sectional area than the second passage; wherein the dirty air inlet is fluidly connected to the first and second passages; wherein the first passage has a cross sectional area which is formed by first and second sides connected by third and fourth sides; and wherein the third and fourth sides generally extend towards each other as they extend from the second side to the first side.