Hybrid Vacuum Cleaner Nozzle for Brush Torque Without Power Cables
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaner nozzles face inefficiencies due to cable connections for electrical power, battery recharging requirements, and low rotational torque from turbine-powered systems, leading to reduced suction efficiency on surfaces with long pile or carpets.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner nozzle with a turbine-driven motor generator unit that generates and stores electric power, using an accumulator unit and switching device to maintain efficient rotation of the rotatable brush, eliminating the need for external power connections and enhancing torque during high resistance conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the rotatable brush is powered by a turbine driven by suction air flow, then cable connections are eliminated and operational continuity is improved, but the rotational torque is substantially low causing brush seizing on rugs or carpets with long pile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two power sources into a hybrid system: a turbine driven by suction air flow and an electric motor powered by an accumulator unit. The turbine provides continuous operation without cable connections, while the electric motor supplements rotational torque when needed, particularly on surfaces with long pile where the turbine alone is insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid power system serves multiple functions: the turbine provides primary continuous operation and generates electric power to recharge the accumulator, while the electric motor provides supplemental torque on demand. This multi-functional system resolves the contradiction by making each component adaptable to different operating conditions.
2Ease of operation
If the rotatable brush is powered by batteries, then cable connections are eliminated, but cyclical recharging is required during which the vacuum cleaner cannot be used and expensive cumbersome recharging equipment is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine continuously generates electric power during operation to recharge the accumulator unit, ensuring the power supply never depletes. This continuous recharging eliminates the need to stop operation for recharging, maintaining uninterrupted useful action while keeping the system cable-free.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is self-sufficient as the turbine during normal operation automatically generates electric power to recharge the accumulator unit. The system serves itself by using its own operational energy to maintain its power supply, eliminating the need for external recharging equipment and downtime.
3Force
If the electric motor is powered by the power line, then sufficient rotational torque is provided, but cable connections hinder the user during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply from the external power line and relocates it to an autonomous portable system consisting of an accumulator unit and electric motor integrated into the nozzle. This extraction eliminates the hindering cable connection while maintaining sufficient rotational torque through the hybrid power system.
4Duration of action of moving object
If the turbine is used to rotate the rotatable brush, then operational continuity is improved, but suction efficiency is substantially reduced on surfaces with long pile due to brush seizing
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between pure turbine operation and hybrid turbine-motor operation based on operating conditions. On surfaces with long pile, the electric motor dynamically supplements the turbine's torque output, preventing brush seizing and maintaining suction efficiency while preserving operational continuity.
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 provides continuous operation without cable connections, maintains suction efficiency on various surfaces, and extends operational life with rapid recharging capabilities, reducing environmental impact and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a turbine (6) which is adapted to rotate around a shaft (7) arranged substantially transversely to the direction of travel of the suction air flow which is intended to strike the vanes of the turbine (6) so as to cause rotation thereof
Implementation Method 2
a motor generator unit (14) connected to the shaft (7) and adapted to generate electric power
Implementation Method 3
an accumulator unit (18) adapted to store the electric power generated by the motor generator unit (14) in its generator mode
Implementation Method 4
the motor generator unit (14) operates in motor mode, using the stored electric power to rotate the rotatable brush (9)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
It is disclosed a vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) comprising a housing (2), a rotatable brush (9) which is adapted to brush a surface, and a turbine (6), wherein a suction air flow impacting on said turbine (6) generates a first rotational torque for rotating said rotatable brush (4), wherein it further comprises an electric power generator (14) for generating electric power by a rotation of said turbine (6); an accumulator unit (18) for storing said electric power,- and an electric motor (14) which is adapted to generate a second rotational torque for rotating said rotatable brush (9), wherein said electric motor (14) is electrically connected to say accumulator unit (18). The electric power generator (14) and the electric motor could be either integrated into a single component or they could be separate components.