Nozzle for a floor cleaning machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional nozzles for floor cleaning devices, such as vacuum cleaners, often require complex and cumbersome processes for removing and reinserting the brush roller, which can be prone to entanglement with long fibers and hair, necessitating improved handling mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A nozzle design featuring a cylindrical roller body with a closure structure having opposing latching structures that allow for easy release and reconnection, enabling one-handed operation and intuitive handling, with guide structures to facilitate correct alignment and prevent misinsertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional nozzles use fixed brush rollers, then cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but removal and reinsertion becomes complex and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of removal and reinsertion of brush rollerVSAvoidComplexity of locking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is divided into two separate locking elements (first locking element and second locking element) that can be independently actuated. This segmentation allows the brush roller to be released through simple opposing pressing motions on two separate locations, making the operation intuitive and easy to perform with one hand while avoiding complex integrated locking systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If brush roller is made removable for cleaning, then maintenance becomes easier, but risk of entanglement and misinsertion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of cleaning brush rollerVSAvoidRisk of entanglement and misinsertion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The first and second locking elements are positioned asymmetrically on the nozzle body at opposing locations. This asymmetric positioning creates a specific engagement geometry that guides the brush roller into the correct orientation during insertion, preventing misinsertion while allowing easy removal through opposing pressing motions on the asymmetrically positioned locking elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of operation

If simple locking mechanism is used, then ease of operation improves, but connection stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSimplicity of release operationVSAvoidStability of brush roller connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function is extracted from a single complex locking mechanism and distributed to two separate locking elements. Each locking element independently secures the brush roller, providing stable connection through dual engagement points. The simplicity of operation is maintained because each locking element can be actuated independently through simple pressing motions, while the dual-element design ensures connection stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2659816B1Nozzle for a floor cleaning machine
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2659816B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2659816B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The nozzle (100) has a nozzle casing (110) provided in an insertion opening (140) at a side surface (150). A floor cleaning roller (120) comprises a cylindrical roller body portion and a closure structure (130) for the insertion opening, where the closure structure is rotatable to the roller body portion. The nozzle casing comprises counter lock structures assigned to respective lock structures to enable releasable and creatable positive connection between the nozzle casing and the closure structure.