Vacuum Floor Tool Sole Plate Geometry to Prevent Carpet Skipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Floor tools for vacuum cleaners tend to 'skip' on long pile carpets due to the rearward sole plate edge acting as a pivot point, causing ineffective cleaning and requiring complex pivot arrangements to mitigate this issue.
Innovation Solution
Extending the floor engaging surface of the sole plate beyond the rearward sole plate engaging edge of the head increases the distance between the articulation axis and the pivot point, reducing the likelihood of the tool pivoting and skipping during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the floor tool uses a conventional sole plate design with the head positioned at the rearward edge, then the structure is simple, but the tool skips backwards on long pile carpets causing ineffective cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extends the floor engaging surface of the sole plate in the longitudinal direction beyond the rearward sole plate engaging edge of the head, creating a forward extension that shifts the pivot point forward. This dimensional change in the sole plate geometry prevents the rearward edge from acting as a pivot point during backward motion, thereby eliminating skipping while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If existing solutions use complicated pivot point arrangements to prevent skipping, then skipping is reduced, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for complex pivot point arrangements by using a simplified sole plate design. By extending the floor engaging surface forward beyond the head's rearward edge, the invention removes the problematic rearward pivot point entirely, achieving skipping prevention through geometric modification rather than mechanical pivot mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the sole plate by extending its floor engaging surface forward beyond the rearward sole plate engaging edge of the head. This parameter change in the sole plate's longitudinal dimension shifts the effective pivot point forward, preventing skipping without requiring additional mechanical components or complex pivot arrangements.
3Device complexity
If the floor tool pivots about the rearward floor contacting edge, then the structure is simple, but the suction opening cannot remain in close proximity to the floor surface during pushing and pulling
Solution Approach 1:
By extending the floor engaging surface forward beyond the head's rearward edge, the invention creates a new forward pivot point location. This dimensional extension ensures that during pushing and pulling motions, the suction opening remains in close proximity to the floor surface because the pivot point is now forward of the suction opening, preventing the head from pivoting backward and away from the surface.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a floor tool (1) for a surface treating appliance comprising, a sole plate (26) comprising a floor engaging surface (36) having forward and rearward floor contacting edges (52,54) and a suction opening (4), a head (25) which is pivotable relative to the sole plate (26) about an articulation axis between forward and rearward positions, the head (25) having a front sole plate engaging edge (31) and a back sole plate engaging edge (33), and a connecting arm (28) comprising an outlet (42) in communication with the suction opening (4), characterised in that at least a portion of the floor engaging surface (3) of the sole plate (26) extends beyond the back sole plate engaging edge (33) of the head (25) when the head (25) is in the rearward position.