Floor Nozzle Movable Strip for Stroke-Adaptive Suction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor nozzles for vacuum cleaners lack the ability to dynamically adjust suction power based on the cleaning surface, failing to effectively pick up dirt particles from both general surfaces and crevices simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A floor nozzle with a movement mechanism that couples the position of a movable strip to the nozzle's stroke direction, allowing the strip to switch between a closed position for enhanced suction power and an open position for increased dirt pickup, using a pivoting arm and guide device to automatically adjust the strip's position based on the nozzle's direction of movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the contact device has openings to allow dirt particles to pass through, then dirt pickup capability is improved, but suction power is reduced due to air leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirt pickup capabilityVSAvoidsuction power
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The movable strip allows the contact device to dynamically switch between two states: with openings for enhanced dirt pickup and without openings for maximum suction power. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for either dirt pickup or suction power depending on the cleaning situation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The openings are positioned at specific locations on the contact device, allowing localized air intake for dirt pickup while maintaining the overall sealing structure. The movable strip enables selective activation of these local openings to balance between dirt pickup capability and suction power maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the movable strip is added to switch between positions, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable strip introduces minimal dynamic complexity to enable dual functionality. By using a simple movable component rather than multiple separate devices, the patent achieves enhanced adaptability while keeping the increase in device complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable strip serves multiple functions: it acts as a cover for the openings, a switching mechanism for different suction modes, and a structural element of the contact device. This multi-functionality approach enhances versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables adjustable suction power depending on the nozzle's stroke direction, effectively picking up dirt from both general surfaces and crevices, enhancing cleaning efficiency and versatility.

Implementation Method 1

a suction opening (70) which is arranged on the floor body (68) and can be or is fluidly connected to a suction unit (31)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3346894B1Floor nozzle
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP3346894B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3346894B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3346894B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A floor nozzle for a vacuum cleaner is provided, comprising a floor body (68), at least one suction mouth (70) which is arranged on the floor body (60) and can be connected or is connected fluidically to a suction unit (31), and a contact device (74) which can be placed against a surface (72) to be cleaned and which encloses the at least one suction mouth (70), wherein a suction space (78), into which the suction mouth (70) opens, is formed between the surface (72) to be cleaned and the contact device (74) when the contact device (74) is placed against the surface (72) to be cleaned, and wherein the contact device (74) has, on at least one side (80), openings (98) into the suction space (78), wherein the at least one side (80) with the openings (98) is assigned at least one movable strip (104) which has at least two positions (108, 114), wherein a first position (108) is a closed position in which the openings (98) are covered, and a second position (114) is a freeing position in which the openings (98) are freed, and wherein a movement mechanism (116) for the at least one movable strip (104) is provided which couples the position of the at least one movable strip (104) to a stroke of the floor nozzle on the surface (72) to be cleaned.