Suction head with improved adherence to the surface to be vacuumed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction heads for vacuum cleaners experience reduced adherence and suction efficiency during backwards movement, leading to increased power dispersion and noise due to discontinuous and narrow zones in the suction channel cross-section, resulting in inefficient dust and dirt collection.

Innovation Solution

A suction head design featuring a rotatable base plate with a cradle-shaped bracket and ball joints, allowing the suction channel to adapt to inclination and maintain contact with the surface, combined with a telescopic suction channel and spherical joints for improved airflow and sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the suction head is designed with a fixed base plate, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the adherence to the surface deteriorates during backwards movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidadherence to surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base plate is made rotatable relative to the main wheels through a bracket connection, allowing it to dynamically adapt its angle during forward and backward movements. This dynamic adjustment maintains optimal adherence to the surface during both directions of movement, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and reliable adherence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the suction channel has discontinuous and narrow zones, then the device complexity is reduced, but the suction efficiency significantly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction channel designVSAvoidsuction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction channel is designed with continuous cross-section throughout its length, eliminating discontinuous and narrow zones. This continuous design ensures uninterrupted airflow and maintains high suction efficiency, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of manufacture

If the suction channel has significant variations in cross-section, then the manufacturing is easier, but the noise level increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction channel fabricationVSAvoidnoise level
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The suction channel is designed with uniform cross-section throughout its entire length, eliminating local variations that cause turbulence and noise. This consistent geometry reduces airflow disturbances and associated noise levels while remaining manufacturable, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and noise reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enhanced adherence and suction efficiency during both forward and backward movements, reduced noise, and improved performance even with lower-power motors, ensuring effective dust and dirt collection.

Implementation Method 1

two ball joints and a suction channel section configured to have a length such that it adapts to the inclination of the cradle bracket

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBall joint rotation: Ball

Data Source

PatentEP3241475B1Suction head with improved adherence to the surface to be vacuumed
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 NEW ERMES EURO
  • EP3241475B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3241475B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3241475B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A suction head for a vacuum cleaner or the like is described, said suction head comprising: a base plate with a base plate channel open towards a surface to be vacuumed, a suction channel in fluid communication with the base plate channel, main wheels for moving said suction head on the surface to be vacuumed, and a bracket for connecting said main wheels to said base plate, wherein said bracket is connected to said base plate in a rotatable manner so that said base plate is tiltable with respect to the main wheels.