Vacuum Cleaner Floor Nozzle With Elastic Counterweight Support

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor nozzles for vacuum cleaners face difficulties in handling due to significant pushing forces required to move them, which are exacerbated by the weight of the suction head and additional forces from negative pressure, leading to increased friction and the risk of uncontrolled tilting.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an elastic element between the intermediate piece and the suction pipe connection to generate a torque that opposes the weight force of the suction head, reducing friction and pushing forces by distributing the weight and compensating for vertical forces, thereby facilitating easier handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a double-jointed design with support elements is used to maintain suction head alignment, then the suction head can freely align and lie flat on the surface, but the suction head attaches firmly to the floor surface due to negative pressure, generating considerable pushing forces that make handling difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction head alignmentVSAvoidhandling effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic element acts as a counterweight mechanism, generating an upward force that compensates for the downward force caused by the suction head's weight and the negative pressure attachment to the floor surface. This reduces the net pushing force required to move the nozzle while maintaining stable alignment through the double-jointed connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Reliability

If the suction head rests on the surface due to its weight and negative pressure attachment, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the additional weight and attachment forces require considerable effort to move the nozzle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidpushing force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic element provides a counterbalancing upward force that offsets the combined effect of the suction head's weight and the negative pressure force pressing it against the floor. This allows the suction head to maintain reliable contact for effective cleaning while significantly reducing the pushing force needed to move the nozzle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic element changes the force parameter by introducing a variable counteracting force that adapts to the negative pressure conditions. As negative pressure increases during operation, the elastic element's restoring force increases相应地, maintaining force balance and reducing the net pushing force required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If vertical forces are compensated by rear support elements, then the suction head can align freely, but the weight force and negative pressure forces still generate significant friction on the suction head underside

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction head alignmentVSAvoidfriction force
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic element generates an upward force that counteracts the weight force and negative pressure force acting on the suction head. By balancing these vertical forces, the normal force between the suction head and floor is reduced, thereby reducing the friction force that opposes movement, while the double-jointed connection maintains proper alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 elastic element reduces the pushing forces needed to move the nozzle by counteracting the weight force and negative pressure-induced forces, enhancing maneuverability and reducing the risk of uncontrolled tilting, with the force counteracting the weight force varying between 0 N and 30 N depending on the angle, effectively improving handling and cleaning efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic element is arranged between the intermediate piece and the suction pipe connection, which generates a torque D between the upper and the lower stop position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the elastic element generates a torque D between the upper and the lower stop position, which forces the connection from the adapter and intake manifold connection to smaller angles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorque: Torque

Implementation Method 3

the suction air flow creates a vacuum on the underside of the suction head, which sucks up dirt particles and cleans the floor surface. Due to the negative pressure, the suction head attaches itself firmly to the floor surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Vacuum

Implementation Method 4

the force is supported in the vertical direction on two rear rollers as support elements. As a result, vertical forces introduced at the suction pipe connection via a vacuum cleaner pipe are compensated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2338399B1Floor nozzle for a vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2013.07.03 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP2338399B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2338399B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2338399B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The floor nozzle comprises an intermediate piece (1), a vacuum generator (2) that is attached at an end of the intermediate piece around a horizontal tilting axis (K) in a tiltably movable manner, and a supporting element (5), which is arranged at the other end of the intermediate piece. A flexible element is arranged between the intermediate piece and a suction tube connection (6).