Vacuum Cleaner Nozzle Sole With Reverse-Motion Tilt Stop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaner nozzles suffer from air leaks during reverse motion, reducing suction efficiency due to tilting of the sole, which complicates ergonomic control and assembly, and limits adaptability to ground irregularities.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum cleaner nozzle with a sole connected by a hinge rod featuring abutment means that limit rotation during reverse movement, allowing air passage and maintaining adaptability during forward motion, comprising scraping edges and a support surface forming an angle with the scraping plane to prevent tilting and ensure air flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the sole is articulated to tilt during forward motion to adapt to ground irregularities, then adaptability to ground irregularities is improved, but air leaks occur during reverse motion reducing suction efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to ground irregularitiesVSAvoidsuction efficiency during reverse motion
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sole is designed with dynamic characteristics allowing it to tilt during forward motion to adapt to ground irregularities, while the abutment means provide dynamic constraint during reverse motion to prevent excessive tilting that would cause air leaks. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by adapting the sole's degree of freedom to the direction of motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The abutment means are positioned locally at the rear of the sole to provide directional support during reverse motion, while the front scraping edges maintain their scraping function. This localized intervention prevents air leaks during reverse motion without affecting the adaptability during forward motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a lock mechanism is added to prevent tilting during reverse motion, then suction efficiency during reverse motion is improved, but device complexity increases and ergonomics are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction efficiency during reverse motionVSAvoidcomplexity of lock mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The abutment means automatically engage with the ground during reverse motion to limit tilting, without requiring user intervention or complex locking mechanisms. The structure itself provides the necessary constraint through its geometric design, eliminating the need for additional control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The complex lock mechanism from prior art is completely removed and replaced with a simple geometric abutment structure. The abutment means consist of basic structural elements (support surface and air passage) that provide the necessary function without the complexity of movable locks or control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the abutment means are positioned to limit tilting during reverse motion, then air leaks are prevented, but air flow towards the rear scraping edge may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of air leaks during reverse motionVSAvoidair flow towards rear scraping edge
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The air passage acts as an intermediary element that allows air to flow from the suction channel to the rear scraping edge while the abutment means limit tilting. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by providing both mechanical constraint and pneumatic connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The abutment means are positioned in a vertical dimension above the scraping plane, creating a three-dimensional structure that limits tilting while leaving the horizontal air flow path open. This dimensional separation allows both functions to coexist without interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2433539B1Balancing pad for a vacuum cleaner nozzle
Publication Date: 2015.09.02 SEB SA
  • EP2433539B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2433539B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Vacuum cleaner nozzle (100) comprising a sole (10) connected in rotation by a connecting rod (20) to a connecting piece (40) to the vacuum cleaner, at least one support wheel (50) on the floor mounted on the connecting rod (20), the sole (10) comprising at least one suction channel (13) from the floor delimited at the front and rear by scraping edges (11, 12), characterized in that the sole (10), at the rear of the scraping edges (11, 12), further comprises stop means (15) on the floor limiting the rotation of the sole (10) around the connecting rod (20) during the rear movements of the vacuum cleaner nozzle (100) and in that the stop means (15) are arranged to allow the passage of air towards the rear scraping edge (12).