Suction nozzle and hard-surface suction apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction nozzles for hard surface cleaning require precise alignment and force application to achieve streak-free cleaning, leading to potential liquid residue if conditions are not met.

Innovation Solution

The suction nozzle design features an obliquely or perpendicularly aligned squeegee lip extension and reinforced peeling lip with non-uniform bending stiffness, allowing for linear contact with the hard surface regardless of orientation and improved edge cleaning, reducing the risk of liquid residue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the support lip and squeegee lip are aligned at a specific angle and pressed with certain force, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the complexity of operation increases and streak-free cleaning is not achieved if conditions are not met

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidalignment precision requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the lips by providing extensions that project obliquely or perpendicularly from the longitudinal section. This modifies the contact geometry between the lips and hard surface, enabling linear contact regardless of nozzle orientation. The extension design transforms the rigid alignment requirement into a more tolerant configuration where the effective contact angle is determined by the extension geometry rather than nozzle orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the suction nozzle is aligned precisely and pressed with correct force, then streak-free cleaning is achieved, but liquid residue remains if alignment or force is incorrect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning qualityVSAvoidalignment sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lip extensions modify the contact parameters by providing a geometric configuration that ensures linear contact between the squeegee lip and hard surface. The oblique or perpendicular projection of the extensions from the longitudinal section creates a contact geometry that is insensitive to nozzle orientation variations, thereby reducing alignment sensitivity and preventing liquid residue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the squeegee lip is made uniformly flexible, then it conforms to the hard surface, but it cannot effectively clean uneven surfaces like window panes with sealing strips

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface conformityVSAvoidedge cleaning performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing extensions at specific locations on the squeegee lip (projecting from the longitudinal section) rather than making the entire lip uniformly structured. These localized extensions create specific contact points or lines that maintain effectiveness on uneven surfaces while the rest of the lip remains flexible for surface conformity. The support lip extensions similarly provide localized support where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The extensions projecting obliquely or perpendicularly from the longitudinal section create a curved or angled contact geometry rather than a flat linear contact. This curved geometry allows the lip to adapt to uneven surfaces like sealing strips while maintaining effective cleaning contact, combining flexibility with edge cleaning capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 design ensures streak-free cleaning independently of nozzle alignment and force application, with enhanced performance on uneven surfaces like window panes with sealing strips.

Implementation Method 1

an elastically deformable removal lip (44) and an elastically deformable support lip (46), which protrude from the suction nozzle housing (30)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The suction channel (38) can be connected to a vacuum source, in particular to a suction unit (18), of the hard surface vacuum cleaner, creating a suction flow that can suck liquid from the hard surface to be cleaned

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction flow: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3518720B2Suction nozzle and hard-surface suction apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP3518720B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3518720B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3518720B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a suction nozzle (12) for a portable hard-surface suction device (10), comprising a suction nozzle housing (30), in which a suction channel (38) is arranged and on the housing end face (40) of which an elastically deformable pull-off lip (44) and an elastically deformable support lip (46) are arranged, which protrude from the suction nozzle housing (30) and define a suction chamber (80) therebetween, which the suction channel (38) adjoins, wherein the pull-off lip (44) has, at the front end region thereof protruding from the suction nozzle housing (30), a pull-off lip edge (54) and wherein the support lip (46) has, at the front end region thereof protruding from the suction nozzle housing (30), a support lip edge (56), wherein the pull-off lip edge (54) is arranged behind the support lip edge (56) with respect to a pull-off direction (108) of the suction nozzle (12) and the support lip (46) has at least one through-hole. According to the invention, in order to further develop the suction nozzle (12) in such a way that an improved cleaning result can be achieved, the pull-of lip (44) has a longitudinal section (50) protruding forward from the housing end face (40) in the direction facing away from the suction channel (38), which longitudinal section is adjoined by at least one pull-off lip extension (52), which is inclined in relation to the longitudinal section (50) in the undeformed base position of the pull-off lip (44) and which forms a pull-off lip edge (54) at the free end of said pull-off lip extension. The invention further relates to a portable hard-surface suction device (10) having such a suction nozzle (12).