Floor cleaning nozzle for surface cleaning apparatus

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surface cleaning apparatuses struggle with effective edge cleaning, often requiring additional tools and manual labor to clean along edges such as baseboards and walls, while maintaining efficient floor cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A floor cleaning nozzle with a dual brushroll system, including a main brushroll and an edge brushroll, integrated with a squeegee and fluid dispensers, designed for both floor and edge cleaning, featuring a removable brushroll assembly and a brushroll cover for easy maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single brushroll is used for floor cleaning, then floor cleaning efficiency is improved, but edge cleaning capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefloor cleaning efficiencyVSAvoidedge cleaning capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The brushroll is segmented into two distinct components: a main brushroll for floor cleaning and an edge brushroll for edge cleaning. The edge brushroll is positioned at the lateral end of the main brushroll and extends through an edge cleaning aperture, allowing each segment to perform its specialized function independently while being driven by a single motor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the cleaning apparatus are given different properties: the main brushroll uses agitation material suitable for broad floor surfaces, while the edge brushroll uses agitation material optimized for narrow edge areas. The edge cleaning aperture is specifically positioned and sized to allow the edge brushroll to access wall junctions and baseboards effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional cleaning tools are added for edge cleaning, then edge cleaning capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveedge cleaning capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The edge cleaning function is merged with the main floor cleaning function by integrating the edge brushroll into the lateral end of the main brushroll assembly. Both brushrolls share a common drive motor and are housed within a single nozzle, eliminating the need for separate edge cleaning tools while maintaining functional independence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, where a single nozzle assembly performs both floor cleaning and edge cleaning operations. The edge cleaning aperture and edge brushroll are integrated into the main nozzle structure, allowing the device to handle multiple cleaning tasks without requiring additional specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a dual brushroll system is integrated, then cleaning versatility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning versatilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The brushroll assembly is designed for self-service maintenance, where the user can easily remove the entire brushroll assembly as a unit from the nozzle housing for cleaning and maintenance. The assembly includes a carrier that facilitates easy installation and removal, allowing users to maintain both brushrolls without requiring disassembly of the entire device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4656110A1Floor cleaning nozzle for surface cleaning apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 BISSELL INC
  • EP4656110A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4656110A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4656110A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A floor cleaning nozzle for a surface cleaning apparatus includes a nozzle housing having a brushroll compartment, a suction inlet opening to the brushroll compartment, a main brushroll, and an edge brushroll. The edge brushroll is connected to an end of the main brushroll and is rotatable therewith about an axis. The edge brushroll can at least partially extend through an edge cleaning aperture in the nozzle housing.