Floor Care Nozzle Counterweight for Carpet Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor care nozzles exhibit an audible rattle due to vertical oscillation and hopping behavior when used on carpets, which is not effectively addressed by adding mass or using carpet beating devices, as the frequency and amplitude of the motion are influenced by the carpet's impulse and gravitational forces.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a free mass within the nozzle housing that is vertically movable and strategically located to counteract the high-frequency, low-amplitude jumps, with optional damping elements to minimize noise, ensuring the mass can effectively dampen oscillations without increasing the nozzle's overall mass or visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a free mass is added to counteract oscillations, then the rattling noise is reduced, but the nozzle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
A free mass (counterweight) is incorporated within the nozzle housing that can move vertically to counteract the oscillating motion of the nozzle during operation on carpets. The counterweight moves in opposition to the nozzle's vertical oscillations, thereby reducing the rattling noise generated by the hopping behavior.
2Ease of repair
If the free mass is made visible or accessible, then it can be adjusted or removed, but the aesthetic appearance and integrated design are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The free mass is nested within the nozzle housing, concealed inside the structure so that it is not visible to the user during normal operation. The counterweight is integrated into the housing design, maintaining the aesthetic appearance while still allowing for adjustment or removal through designated access points if needed.
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 solution effectively reduces the high-frequency, low-amplitude motion, maintaining small kinetic energy and minimizing noise, with the free mass being inexpensive, simple to integrate, and invisible to the user, while providing optimal performance with a weight distribution of at least 10% of the nozzle's total weight.
Implementation Method 1
a free mass vertically movable with a vertical motion component while being contained within the nozzle... counteracting the high frequency, low amplitude jumps
Implementation Method 2
nozzle housing is provided with a damping element at a place where the mass collides with the nozzle housing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3A
Figure 3B~4
AI summary
In a floor care nozzle comprising a nozzle housing (HS), a mass (m) is vertically movable and contained (C) within the nozzle housing (HS). Preferably, the nozzle housing (HS) is provided with a damping element (DE) at a place where the mass (m) collides with the nozzle housing (HS), or the mass (m) is provided with a damping element (DE). Preferably, a total weight of the mass (m) is at least about 10% of a weight of the nozzle. Preferably, the mass (m) comprises a plurality of masses (m) distributed over a width of the nozzle housing (HS), wherein the number of masses (m) could be at least 3 and at most 6. Preferably, the nozzle housing (HS) comprises a plurality of containers (C) in which respective masses (m) can move, which are advantageously placed at a front end of the nozzle housing (HS).