Floor Nozzle Composite Sliding Sole to Reduce Electrostatic Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Floor nozzle devices for textile surfaces face challenges with electrostatic charging, leading to reduced suction efficiency and user safety concerns due to contact electricity, and existing materials lack sufficient mechanical rigidity and durability.

Innovation Solution

A floor nozzle device with a sliding sole made from a composite material comprising a polymer matrix and electrically conductive fibers or plates, which reduces electrostatic charging and enhances mechanical stability, allowing for improved suction performance and user safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a conventional polymer material is used for the sliding sole, then ease of manufacture is improved, but electrostatic charging occurs reducing suction efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidsuction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding sole is made from a composite material consisting of a polymer matrix (such as polyamide, polypropylene, or polyvinyl chloride) combined with electrically conductive filler materials (such as carbon fibers, graphite, or metal particles). This composite structure maintains the ease of manufacturing through conventional molding processes while the conductive filler dissipates electrostatic charges, preventing deflection of dust particles and maintaining suction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If a composite material with electrically conductive filler is used for the sliding sole, then suction efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple functions into a single component: the sliding sole simultaneously provides mechanical support, enables movement across surfaces, and dissipates electrostatic charges. By incorporating the conductive filler directly into the polymer matrix during manufacturing, the electrostatic protection function is integrated into the structural component itself, avoiding the need for separate anti-static devices or coatings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If conventional polymer material is used for the sliding sole, then ease of operation is improved, but mechanical rigidity and durability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidmechanical rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The composite material combines the flexibility and ease of operation of polymer materials with the mechanical strength and rigidity of filler materials such as carbon fibers or graphite. The filler reinforcement provides enhanced structural integrity and durability while the polymer matrix maintains the desired flexibility for easy movement and operation of the floor nozzle device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Object-affected harmful factors

If electrically conductive material is incorporated into the sliding sole, then electrostatic charging is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrostatic chargingVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the electrical parameter of the sliding sole material by incorporating conductive filler, transforming it from an insulating polymer to an electrically conductive composite. This parameter change is achieved through standard composite manufacturing processes where the filler is mixed into the polymer matrix during molding, maintaining ease of manufacture while fundamentally altering the electrical properties to prevent electrostatic charging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composite material reduces electrostatic charging, improves suction efficiency, increases mechanical rigidity, and extends the service life of the nozzle device while making it easier to use and more cost-effective to produce.

Implementation Method 1

a sliding sole (41) which is made of a composite material which comprises a matrix material of at least one polymer and fibres of an electrically conductive material and/or platelets of an electrically conductive material as filler

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3634193B1Floor nozzle, cleaning roller for a textile surface and vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP3634193B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3634193B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3634193B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a floor nozzle device having a textile surface cleaning function, comprising a floor body (14) and a sliding bottom plate (41; 177; 202; 206; 248) that comes into contact with a surface (30) being cleaned when said floor nozzle device (11; 11'; 11''; 11'''; 111; 111'; 111''; 244) is in operation, said sliding bottom plate (41; 177; 202; 206; 248) consisting of a composite material which comprises a matrix material made of at least one polymer, and fibres consisting of an electrically conductive material and/or lamellae consisting of an electrically conductive material as a filler.