Floating Suction Nozzle Floor Tool for Hard Floor Debris Pickup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaner floor tools are less effective at removing stains and have limited versatility, as they compromise cleaning performance on hard floors and lack efficient debris pickup, especially in crevices.
Innovation Solution
A floor tool with a support member and floating suction nozzles that can carry a cleaning element, allowing for dual functionality of suction cleaning and wiping, with adjustable neck and removable pad for enhanced maneuverability and maintainability, and a configuration of suction nozzles that improves debris pickup by creating a narrow gap for efficient airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a combined mop and suction floor tool is used, then the tool can perform both wiping and vacuuming functions, but the cleaning performance on hard floors is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The floor tool is divided into functionally independent modules: a support member for carrying cleaning elements (wiping function) and separate suction nozzles for vacuuming (suction function). This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between versatility and cleaning performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction nozzles are designed to float relative to the neck, creating a dynamic configuration where the nozzles can independently adjust their position. This dynamic design allows the suction nozzles to maintain optimal contact with the floor surface for vacuuming while the support member handles wiping, thereby maintaining high cleaning performance across both functions.
2Device complexity
If the suction nozzle is fixed to the neck, then the structure is simpler, but the debris pickup performance in crevices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suction nozzles are designed with a floating mechanism that allows them to move independently relative to the neck. This dynamic configuration enables the nozzles to adapt to floor surface variations and crevices, improving debris pickup performance without significantly increasing structural complexity. The floating design provides the necessary flexibility while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
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 floor tool effectively combines suction and wiping functions, improving cleaning performance on hard floors by allowing the suction nozzles to float and ride lightly, enhancing debris pickup and maintainability, while being versatile enough to operate in both suction-and-wipe and suction-only modes.
Implementation Method 1
the suction nozzle is configured so as to float relative to the neck
Implementation Method 2
a suction opening through which dirt and dust may be drawn into the floor tool due to a suction force generated by a vacuum cleaner
Data Source
AI summary
A floor tool for a vacuum cleaning appliance comprising a support member adapted to support a cleaning element and at least one suction nozzle in communication with a conduit that is attachable to a vacuum cleaning appliance, wherein a neck for controlling the floor tool is coupled to the support member and wherein the at least one suction nozzle is configured to float relative to the neck.