Vacuum Cleaner Head Seal Structure for Carpet Airflow Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Upright vacuum cleaners face challenges with high suction pressure causing the sole plate to be pushed into carpets, reducing airflow and pick-up performance, and making the cleaner head difficult to maneuver, especially on carpeted surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A cleaner head design featuring a flexible annular seal between the sole plate and housing, along with support members that restrict the housing's movement, allowing relative movement and maintaining airflow while minimizing the force applied to the sole plate, thus preventing it from being pushed into the carpet pile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high suction pressure is provided at the suction opening, then pick-up performance is improved, but the sole plate is pushed into the carpet pile reducing airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the cleaner head movable relative to the sole plate through a flexible connection (flexible annular seal). This allows the housing to move upward when high suction pressure is applied, preventing the sole plate from being pushed into the carpet pile while maintaining high suction pressure for good pick-up performance.
2Productivity
If high suction pressure is provided at the suction opening, then pick-up performance is improved, but the cleaner head becomes difficult to manoeuvre
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible annular seal enables the housing to move dynamically in response to suction pressure, reducing the force required to maneuver the cleaner head over carpeted surfaces while maintaining high suction pressure for effective pick-up performance.
3Ease of operation
If air channels are provided to allow additional air to be bled in, then the force pushing the cleaner head onto the surface is reduced, but the suction at the suction opening is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using air channels to reduce suction force, the patent uses a flexible connection that allows the housing to move dynamically. This maintains full suction pressure at the suction opening for optimal pick-up performance while reducing the effective force on the carpet through mechanical movement rather than air bleeding.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible annular seal acts as a flexible element that allows relative movement between the housing and sole plate. This flexible connection enables the housing to lift off the sole plate when suction pressure is high, reducing the force on the carpet without compromising suction performance.
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
This design enhances airflow and pick-up performance by preventing the sole plate from being pushed into the carpet, reducing resistance and improving maneuverability while maintaining suction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible annular seal located between the sole plate and the housing for allowing relative movement between the housing and the sole plate
Implementation Method 2
at least one floor engaging support member connected to the housing for restricting the movement of the housing towards the sole plate
Implementation Method 3
The suction of air through the suction opening creates a pressure difference between the air passing through the cleaner head and the external environment
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a housing, a sole plate for engaging with the floor surface, the sole plate comprising a suction opening through which dirt-bearing air enters the cleaner head, and a flexible annular seal located between the sole plate and the housing to allow the housing to move relative to the sole plate to reduce the force exerted on the sole plate by the housing, thereby allowing the sole plate to ride over the floor surface during a cleaning operation. The cleaner head includes at least one floor engaging support member connected to the housing for restricting the movement of the housing towards the sole plate to prevent the housing from pushing the sole plate against the floor surface.