Vacuum Cleaner Nozzle Base Plate Geometry for Low Motion Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaner nozzles with high dust pick-up levels experience increased motion resistance, making carpet cleaning physically demanding, and often fail to effectively pick up larger particles while using low power motors.

Innovation Solution

The vacuum cleaner nozzle features a base plate with an elongated suction opening, optimized front and rear portions with specific surface lengths and inclinations, and a pair of wheels, designed to enhance dust removal and large particle pick-up while minimizing motion resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the suction force is increased to achieve high dust pick-up level, then dust pick-up performance is improved, but motion resistance increases making the nozzle difficult to move

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust pick-up levelVSAvoidmotion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The base plate is divided into different zones with distinct functions: a front portion with inclined surfaces for particle propulsion, a middle section with the suction opening for dust intake, and a rear portion for stability. Each zone has optimized surface characteristics tailored to its specific function, allowing high dust pick-up without uniformly increasing motion resistance across the entire nozzle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle base plate is segmented into multiple functional portions (front portion, middle section, rear portion) with distinct geometric features. The front portion has specific inclined surfaces for particle interaction, while the rear portion has different characteristics for stability. This segmentation allows optimization of dust pick-up in the front area without proportionally increasing friction across the entire base plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If the motor power is reduced to save energy, then energy consumption is decreased, but the ability to pick up both fine dust and larger particles is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddust pick-up performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces reliance on high motor power with optimized geometric surfaces on the base plate. The inclined surfaces in the front portion are specifically designed to mechanically propel larger particles into the suction opening using the airflow generated by the motor, rather than relying solely on increased motor power to lift particles directly into the suction stream.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the base plate surfaces, specifically the inclination angles and dimensions of the front portion surfaces. These parameter optimizations allow low-power motors to effectively pick up both fine dust and larger particles by utilizing the converted airflow dynamics created by the optimized surface geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter 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 optimized nozzle design achieves improved dust removal and large particle pick-up with minimal increase in motion resistance, providing a more efficient and user-friendly cleaning experience, especially with low power motors.

Implementation Method 1

A vacuum cleaner is a device that uses a suction force generated by a fan unit to create a partial vacuum to suck up objects like dust, particles, fibers, hair etc.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction force: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The front portion comprises a front surface having a length in a direction substantially parallel to the floor surface during normal use of between 5-10 mm, and an inclined front surface having a length in the same direction of between 20-26 mm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow direction control: Flow Separation

Data Source

PatentEP4523588A1Nozzle for a vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner having such a nozzle
Publication Date: 2025.03.19 AB ELECTROLUX
  • EP4523588A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4523588A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4523588A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) configured to be moved over a floor surface (30). The nozzle (1) comprises a base plate (3) configured to face the floor surface (30) during operation of the nozzle (1). The base plate (3) comprises an elongated suction opening (5), a front portion (6) arranged in front of the suction opening (5) and a rear portion (7) arranged behind the suction opening (5). The front portion (6) comprises a front surface (12) having a length (L1) in a direction substantially parallel to the floor surface (30) during normal use of between 5-10 mm, and an inclined front surface (11) having a length (L3) in the same direction of between 20-26 mm. The rear portion (7) comprises a rear surface (13) having a length (L2) in a direction substantially parallel to the floor surface (30) during normal use of between 5-10 mm, and an inclined rear surface (14) having a length (L4) in the same direction of between 18-24 mm. The front inclined surface (11) has an inclination (a1) of between 7-11 degrees in respect of the front surface (12) and the rear inclined surface (14) has an inclination (a2) of between 8-12 degrees in respect of the rear surface (13). The invention also relates to a vacuum cleaner with such a nozzle.