Vacuum Cleaner Floor Nozzle Wheel Hub Assembly for Easy Pivoting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaner nozzles with tiltable suction heads and wheels for navigating carpets are complex and costly to manufacture and assemble, with interdependent pivot and rotation axes that complicate assembly and increase production costs.
Innovation Solution
The wheels' hubs are fixed to the suction channel with plug-in connections and bearing pins, allowing independent positioning of the pivot and rotation axes, with one-piece plastic hubs and Z-shaped races for low-friction mounting and easy assembly, and optional elastomeric coatings for reduced noise and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the wheels have races rotatably mounted on axle bolts that form the pivot axis, then the nozzle can be moved with little pushing force, but the construction and assembly become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hub integrates multiple functions: it serves as the mounting structure for the race, provides the pivot axis through bearing pins, and connects to the suction channel. This merging of functions into a single component reduces construction complexity while maintaining the low pushing force characteristic.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub is designed as a one-piece plastic molded part, segmenting the complex assembly into a single manufacturable component. This segmentation at the manufacturing level simplifies both construction and assembly while preserving the functional benefits of the wheel-race-pivot system.
2Ease of manufacture
If the pivot axis and rotation axis are geometrically interdependent, then the structure is compact, but manufacturing and assembly become costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hub is designed as a one-piece plastic molded part, segmenting the complex assembly into a single manufacturable component. This segmentation at the manufacturing level simplifies both construction and assembly while preserving the functional benefits of the wheel-race-pivot system.
Solution Approach 2:
The independent positioning of the pivot axis relative to the rotation axis allows for optimized parameter selection in manufacturing. The bearing pins can be positioned independently, enabling simpler manufacturing processes and reduced costs while maintaining structural integrity.
3Strength
If the races have full-surface cross-sectional profile, then structural strength is high, but weight and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The race transitions from a full-surface cross-section to a Z-shaped profile with discrete running surfaces connected by webs. This local quality change maintains strength at critical contact points while reducing material quantity in non-critical areas, achieving both weight reduction and cost savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous material of a full-surface race is segmented into discrete running surfaces connected by webs. This segmentation removes unnecessary material while preserving structural integrity where needed, reducing both weight and manufacturing cost.
Data Source
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AI summary
The nozzle (1) has two wheels (5) arranged at an outer side of a suction channel (3), where the wheels in each case has hubs (6) and a ball race (8) rotatably supported on the hubs. The hubs are fixed to the channel with plug connections and comprise bearing pins, which are engaged into bearing openings of a suction tube connecting piece (4) and form a rotation axis for the connecting piece. The hubs have front screens (7), whose diameter is larger than an inner diameter of the races. The races are axially held between the screens and an adjacent outer surface of the channel.