Chamfered Vacuum Nozzle Openings for Large Debris and Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum cleaners with castellated nozzles struggle to effectively collect large debris, such as cheerios, due to clogging issues and reduced suction power when trying to accommodate larger items, limiting their cleaning capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates chamfered castellations with offset wheels and cambered wheels to allow large debris to pass through while maintaining high suction power, and an elongated brush roll with soft material flaps for improved debris agitation and noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the inlets of a castellated nozzle are widened to accommodate large debris, then the ability to collect large debris is improved, but air velocity decreases and suction power is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle inlet is segmented into multiple castellated openings of varying sizes. The segmentation allows different sized debris to be directed through different pathways - smaller debris through narrower openings that maintain high air velocity, and larger debris through wider openings that prevent clogging. This segmented structure resolves the contradiction by providing multiple specialized inlet paths rather than a single uniform opening.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the nozzle inlet are given different local qualities through the castellation design. Some castellations have narrower openings optimized for high-velocity airflow and fine debris, while others have wider openings optimized for large debris passage. This local differentiation allows the nozzle to simultaneously maintain high suction power for fine particles and accommodate large debris without clogging.
2Power
If narrow castellations are used to maintain high air velocity and suction power, then suction performance is improved, but large debris cannot pass through and clogging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The castellation structure segments the inlet into multiple pathways with different opening sizes. Narrower castellations maintain high air velocity and suction power for fine debris, while wider castellations provide alternative pathways for large debris to pass through without causing clogging. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve high suction power and reliable operation with large debris.
Solution Approach 2:
The castellation structure acts as an intermediary element between the airflow and debris. It mediates the interaction by directing different types of debris through appropriate pathways - fine debris through narrow openings that maintain high velocity, and large debris through wider openings that prevent clogging. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction between suction power and clogging resistance.
3Productivity
If traditional brush rolls are used for debris agitation, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but noise and vibration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The brush roll parameters are changed by covering it with soft, flexible material instead of traditional rigid bristles. This parameter change maintains the mechanical agitation function for effective debris loosening and cleaning, while the soft material significantly reduces noise and vibration generation. The material properties are modified to achieve both cleaning effectiveness and reduced harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush roll uses composite construction with an elongated body covered by soft material. This composite structure combines the mechanical function of the rigid brush roll body with the noise-reducing properties of the soft flexible covering material. The composite design allows the system to maintain cleaning effectiveness while reducing noise and vibration harmful factors.
Data Source
AI summary
An agitator including an elongated main body configured to rotate about a pivot axis, one or more soft cleaning features coupled to and extending over a substantial portion of a surface of the elongated main body, the one or more soft cleaning features defining at least one channel, and at least one deformable flap disposed at least partially within the at least one channel and extending from the elongated main body. The deformable flap may extend beyond an outer surface of the soft cleaning features. The channel may have a generally U shape and/or V shape. The channel may be configured to allow the resiliently deformable flap to move front to back as the agitator rotates about the pivot axis.