Pivotable Lip Suction Opening for Vacuum Cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices face limitations in picking up larger particles and liquid contaminants due to the restricted cross-sectional width of the suction opening and the sealing lip's design, which pushes contaminants and liquid away from the suction channel.
Innovation Solution
A pivotable lip is integrated into the suction opening, alternating its position based on the device's direction of movement to create a larger suction opening for larger particles and effectively guide liquid and dirt into the suction channel, with the lip's design including openings and spacers to enhance airflow and suction pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a sealing lip is used to maintain suction pressure at the suction opening, then suction pressure is improved, but the cross-sectional width of the suction opening is limited and larger particles cannot be drawn in
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing lip is designed to be pivotable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change its position and orientation based on the direction of movement. This enables the lip to adapt between maintaining suction pressure during forward movement and allowing larger particles to enter during reverse movement, resolving the contradiction between pressure maintenance and opening width.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing lip alternates between two positions corresponding to forward and reverse movement directions. During forward movement, it seals against the first wall to maintain pressure; during reverse movement, it seals against the second wall allowing larger particles in. This periodic switching resolves the contradiction by providing different configurations for different operational phases.
2Stress or pressure
If a sealing lip on the front side is used to maintain suction pressure, then suction pressure is improved, but particulate contaminants are pushed ahead of the lip similar to a snowplow blade, preventing them from entering the suction channel
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable lip changes its effective position relative to the direction of movement. During reverse movement, the lip orientation allows particles to bypass it and enter the suction channel, eliminating the snowplow effect while maintaining suction pressure through the alternative sealing position against the second wall.
3Stress or pressure
If a sealing lip on the brush roller is used to maintain suction pressure, then suction pressure is improved, but liquid is pushed ahead of the lip, preventing it from entering the suction channel during reverse movement
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable lip switches between sealing against the first wall during forward movement and sealing against the second wall during reverse movement. This periodic switching ensures that during reverse movement, the lip configuration allows liquid to pass underneath and enter the suction channel while maintaining suction pressure through the second wall seal.
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
This configuration allows for improved pick-up of particulate and moist soiling, increasing the suction capacity and cleaning performance by accommodating larger particles and efficiently collecting both particulate and liquid contaminants.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device with a suction opening (3) and a suction channel (4)... The suction opening has a first wall (14) facing the front edge (13) of the base body (2) and a second wall (15) facing the brush roller (5)... When the cleaning device is moved in one direction, the suction opening first comes into contact with the dirt on the floor to be cleaned. Particulate and dusty dirt is drawn through the suction opening and suction channel into a dirt container.
Implementation Method 2
a device (6) for wetting the floor to be cleaned with liquid, which is associated with the brush roller (5)... Simultaneously, the floor is moistened with a cleaning fluid, which loosens dirt adhering to the surface.
Implementation Method 3
the brush roller (5) is designed to loosen dirt from the floor to be cleaned... This dirt is then removed from the floor by the brush roller (5).
Implementation Method 4
When the cleaning device is moved in one direction, for example forward, the lip rests against the second wall (15) facing the brush roller (5), creating a gap along the leading edge in the area of the first wall (14). This gap allows dirt, particularly particulate matter, to enter the suction channel through the suction opening (3).
Implementation Method 5
When moving in the opposite direction, for example backward, the lip rests against the first wall (14), creating a gap in the area of the second wall (15). This gap allows the dirt loosened by the brush roller (5) and the liquid applied by the device (6) to enter the suction channel (4).
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A cleaning device (1) comprising a main body (2), a suction means having a suction opening (3) and a suction duct (4), and a brush assembly having a rotatable roller brush (5), wherein the suction opening (3) and the roller brush (5) are arranged in the main body (2) in such a manner as to face the floor to be cleaned, wherein the suction opening (3) has a first wall (14) facing the front edge (13) of the main body (2) and a second wall (15) facing the roller brush (5), the roller brush (5) being designed to loosen dirt from the floor to be cleaned, wherein additionally a means (6) is provided to wet the floor to be cleaned with liquid and is associated with the roller brush (5), characterized in that a lip (7) is pivotably associated with the suction opening (3), which lip optionally bears against the first wall (14) or the second wall (15).