Dual-Suction Nozzle Leveling for Streak-Free Wet Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cleaning appliances designed to vacuum and mop in one go face issues with maintaining the cleanliness of suction bodies and preventing streaks on wet surfaces due to their design, where two suction bodies are positioned on either side of the mopping element, leading to contamination and reduced cleaning performance.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle arrangement with a level setting mechanism that adjusts the relative positions of the suction bodies to ensure one is always at a leading position and the other at a trailing position, maintaining effective suction and cleanliness by alternating their levels based on the direction of movement, and optionally incorporating a suction enhancing mechanism to control suction area sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If two suction bodies are positioned on either side of the mopping element to maintain continuous suction during bidirectional movement, then cleaning continuity is improved, but the suction bodies get contaminated by wet surfaces causing stripes and reduced cleaning quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a level setting mechanism that dynamically adjusts the vertical position of suction bodies relative to the mopping element based on movement direction. When moving forward, the front suction body is lowered to lead position while the rear one is raised; when moving backward, the positions are reversed. This dynamic positioning ensures continuous suction without contamination by keeping only the leading suction body close to the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is segmented into multiple independent suction bodies (front and rear) that can be independently positioned at different levels. This segmentation allows each suction body to perform its function optimally - the leading one for active suction and the trailing one elevated to avoid contamination - thereby resolving the contradiction between continuous cleaning and contamination prevention.
2Productivity
If the suction body is positioned close to the surface for effective dust pickup, then suction effectiveness is improved, but the suction body gets wetted from the wet surface during trailing position
Solution Approach 1:
The level setting mechanism dynamically controls the vertical position of each suction body based on whether it is in a leading or trailing position during bidirectional movement. The leading suction body is positioned close to the surface for effective dust pickup, while the trailing suction body is elevated to a higher level to prevent wetting from the wet surface.
3Productivity
If the mopping element is kept wet for effective mopping action, then mopping performance is improved, but the suction bodies are wetted by capillary action or splashing
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic level adjustment mechanism ensures that the trailing suction body is elevated above the wet surface created by the mopping element. This vertical separation prevents capillary action and splashing from reaching the suction bodies, allowing the mopping element to remain wet for effective mopping while keeping the suction bodies dry.
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 prevents streaks and maintains suction effectiveness by ensuring one suction body is always at a suitable position relative to the surface, keeping the suction bodies clean and functional during bidirectional movement.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanism configured to create underpressure at the position of the first suction body and the second suction body
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 8~10
AI summary
A nozzle arrangement (7) that is configured to face a surface (102) to be cleaned comprises a first suction body (11) and a second suction body (12) located at a distance relative to each other. The nozzle arrangement (7) further comprises a level setting mechanism (40) that is configured to put the first suction body (11) and the second suction body (12) at different overall levels relative to the surface (102) in a normal, operational orientation of the nozzle arrangement (7) on the surface (102). In this way, cleaning performance of the nozzle arrangement (7) can be improved. Additionally or alternatively, it is possible to have a suction enhancing mechanism (50) for at least partially closing at least one of the first suction body (11) and the second suction body (12) to one of the surface (102) and an internal air conduit (24, 25) of the nozzle arrangement (7).