Passive Vacuum Nozzle Top Air Intake for Soft-Surface Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passive nozzles for vacuum cleaners generate noise due to airflow passing through narrow gaps and components when used on soft surfaces, which is not effectively reduced by existing designs.
Innovation Solution
A passive nozzle design featuring an additional air intake aperture in the top part, fluidly connected to the air outlet aperture of the bottom part, allowing airflow to bypass textile fibers and reduce noise by minimizing air entry through narrow gaps, while maintaining improved suction force through an airtight chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If air enters the nozzle via narrow gaps between assembled components when used on soft surfaces, then the nozzle can maintain contact with the surface, but noise is generated due to air being forced through narrow gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into multiple components (body, cover, bottom part) with dedicated air intake apertures in each. This segmentation allows air to enter through multiple separate paths rather than being forced through narrow gaps between assembled components, reducing turbulence and noise while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
Air intake apertures serve as intermediary elements that provide dedicated pathways for air to enter the nozzle. These apertures act as mediators between the external environment and the internal airflow system, preventing air from being forced through narrow gaps between components and thereby reducing noise generation
2Adaptability or versatility
If brushes are used to support the bottom part of the nozzle on hard surfaces, then the nozzle can effectively clean hard surfaces, but the air entrance at the front, rear and lateral edges is blocked when used on soft surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is designed with multiple air intake apertures distributed across different surfaces (front, rear, lateral edges, and top). This universal air intake system allows the nozzle to effectively clean both hard surfaces (where brushes contact) and soft surfaces (where textile fibers may block edge air entrances), as air can enter through multiple locations regardless of surface type
Solution Approach 2:
Air intake apertures are added in the top part of the nozzle, introducing a new spatial dimension for air entry. This dimensional addition ensures that air can enter the nozzle from above, bypassing the blocking effect of textile fibers on horizontal edge apertures when used on soft surfaces
3Power
If the airtight chamber is made completely airtight to improve suction force, then suction efficiency is improved, but noise from airflow passing through narrow gaps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airtight chamber is segmented with multiple dedicated air intake apertures positioned at strategic locations. This segmentation allows air to enter through multiple controlled paths rather than being forced through narrow gaps, maintaining the airtight seal for strong suction while distributing airflow to reduce turbulence and noise
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the nozzle structure have different air intake characteristics. The top part, bottom part, front, rear, and lateral edges each have air intake apertures with specific sizes and positions optimized for their location, allowing air to enter through the most efficient path at each location while maintaining overall airtightness for strong suction
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 significantly reduces noise levels and enhances suction efficiency by directing airflow through intended paths, minimizing noise generation and ensuring effective dust collection from various surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one air intake aperture of the top part is in fluid connection with the air outlet aperture of the bottom part
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
According to an aspect of the present invention, a passive nozzle (1) for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The passive nozzle comprises a top part (2), a bottom part (3), and an airtight chamber (7) having a suction inlet (11) for the purpose of taking in dust from a surface to be cleaned and an outlet for connection to a fan unit of the vacuum cleaner. The top part comprises at least one air intake aperture (14) and the bottom part comprises an air outlet aperture (16). Further, the at least one air intake aperture of the top part is in fluid connection with the air outlet aperture of the bottom part. The present invention is advantageous in that the noise level is reduced.