Suction Nozzle Height Adjustment With Bleed Valve for Carpet Lock-Down
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Super soft carpets with densely tufted low-denier fibers and impermeable backing materials cause suction nozzle lock-down in conventional vacuum cleaners, increasing push force required for cleaning due to impeded airflow.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner with a manual nozzle height adjustment assembly and integrated bleed valve that can selectively reduce suction at the nozzle inlet, preventing lock-down by allowing ambient air into the air path, thereby adjusting the height and suction force according to the carpet type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the suction nozzle is placed close to the super soft carpet surface, then the suction force is improved, but the nozzle becomes locked down to the carpet increasing push force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the suction parameter by introducing ambient air through the bleed valve, which reduces the suction force at the nozzle inlet. This allows the nozzle to be kept close to the carpet surface for good cleaning contact while preventing the suction force from becoming too strong and causing lock-down, thereby reducing the push force required.
Solution Approach 2:
The bleed valve acts as an intermediary element that introduces ambient air into the working air path. This intermediary air flow mediates between the suction source and the nozzle inlet, reducing the suction force without requiring the nozzle to be lifted away from the carpet surface.
2Ease of operation
If the nozzle height is reduced to improve cleaning contact, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but airflow is impeded causing nozzle lock-down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the airflow parameter by allowing ambient air to enter through the bleed valve, which compensates for the airflow impedement caused by the nozzle being close to the carpet. This maintains both good cleaning contact and adequate airflow through the system.
3Productivity
If the suction force is increased to improve debris pickup, then cleaning performance is improved, but the nozzle locks down to impermeable carpet backing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the suction force parameter by reducing it through the bleed valve intervention. This prevents the suction force from becoming excessive and causing the nozzle to lock down to the impermeable carpet backing, while still maintaining enough suction for effective debris pickup.
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 solution effectively reduces the push force needed to move the vacuum cleaner over super soft carpets by adjusting the nozzle height and suction force, preventing nozzle lock-down and enhancing cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a suction source configured to generate a working airstream through the working air path
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle defining a nozzle inlet, a manual nozzle height adjustment assembly for adjusting the height of the nozzle inlet relative to a surface to be cleaned, and a bleed valve fluidly connected to a working air path of the vacuum cleaner to selectively open to reduce suction at the nozzle inlet. The bleed valve is incorporated with the nozzle height adjustment assembly such that movement of the nozzle height adjustment assembly between different height settings will automatically open or close the bleed valve.