Hard surface cleaning device and nozzle assembly thereof

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hard surface cleaning devices face issues with scraper wear, loss of elasticity, and potential scratching due to frequent use and contact with debris, leading to reduced cleaning effectiveness and a shortened service life, necessitating frequent replacement of nozzle assemblies which can be costly and impractical with multiple devices.

Innovation Solution

A modular, tool-less design for the nozzle assembly of a hard surface cleaning device, featuring a detachable and symmetrically configured nozzle assembly with sealing elements, flow guiding ribs, and a stopper mechanism to ensure easy replacement and secure attachment, enhancing cleaning efficiency and extending the device's lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the scraper is used frequently for cleaning, then the cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but the scraper surface wears down and loses elasticity leading to reduced performance and potential failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidscraper service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle assembly is divided into separable components including the housing, scraper, and sealing elements, allowing the scraper to be replaced independently without replacing the entire nozzle assembly. This segmentation enables frequent scraper replacement to maintain cleaning effectiveness while extending the overall service life of the nozzle assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The scraper is designed as a consumable component that can be easily discarded and replaced when worn, while the durable nozzle assembly housing and other components are recovered and reused. This approach maintains cleaning performance by regularly replacing the scraper while avoiding the cost and waste of replacing the entire nozzle assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different nozzle assemblies are used for different scenarios, then cleaning performance for various surfaces is improved, but the cost and complexity of maintaining multiple devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performance for different scenariosVSAvoidnumber of nozzle assemblies to maintain
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle assembly is designed with a universal interface and standardized housing that can accommodate different scraper types and configurations. This allows a single nozzle assembly housing to serve multiple cleaning scenarios by simply changing the scraper component, eliminating the need to maintain multiple complete nozzle assemblies for different cleaning tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the nozzle assembly is designed for easy replacement, then the service life of the hard surface cleaning device is prolonged, but the structural complexity of the nozzle assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice service lifeVSAvoidnozzle assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle assembly incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism with movable locking elements that can be easily actuated to secure or release the assembly. This dynamic design allows for tool-less replacement while maintaining a compact and relatively simple overall structure, balancing ease of replacement with structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If sealing elements are included to ensure secure attachment, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring proper installation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidproper installation detection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing elements are designed with visual indicators such as color-coded rings or markings that change appearance when properly installed. This allows users to quickly detect whether the nozzle assembly is correctly installed and sealed without requiring complex measurement tools or procedures, maintaining cleaning effectiveness while simplifying installation verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color 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 design allows for easy and tool-less replacement of the nozzle assembly, maintaining effective cleaning performance and protecting the surface while prolonging the device's service life, reducing costs by enabling reuse of components.

Implementation Method 1

The suction assembly generates a suction air flow, and under the action of the suction air flow, the liquid air mixture can be sucked from the surface to be cleaned

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a separation assembly for separating liquid from the sucked liquid air mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentEP4710824A1Hard surface cleaning device and nozzle assembly thereof
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 TECHTRONIC CORDLESS GP
  • EP4710824A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4710824A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4710824A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a nozzle assembly 3 for a hard surface cleaning device 1000 for scraping and sucking liquid from a hard surface, the hard surface cleaning device 1000 including a suction flow path 200 for connecting to the nozzle assembly 3. The nozzle assembly 3 comprises: a lower housing 31 comprising a socket part 311 defining an internal suction channel 30, and the socket part 311 is detachably connectable to the hard surface cleaning device 1000 to be in fluid communication with the suction flow path 200; an upper housing 35 detachably connected to the lower housing 31; an upper scraping member 34 for performing a scraping operation; and an intermediate retainer 33 which is located between the lower housing 31 and the upper housing 35, and the intermediate retainer 33 forms a suction space with the lower housing 31 which is in fluid communication with the internal suction passage 200, and the upper scraping member 34 is located between the intermediate retainer 33 and the upper housing 34. The invention also relates to a hard surface cleaning device 1000 comprising such a nozzle assembly 3.