Suction nozzle assembly for a floor vacuum cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction nozzle arrangements for canister vacuum cleaners require significant forces to move, which reduces ease of use and affects the balance between dust absorption capacity and movement resistance.

Innovation Solution

A suction nozzle arrangement with a pivotable suction nozzle having a front and rear suction edge, pivotally connected via a first and second joint, and featuring a roller offset to the rear, allowing a rear articulation angle of 105° to 115° and a cumulative articulation angle of 170° to 180°, optimizing the alignment of the nozzle relative to the floor for reduced movement resistance and improved dust pick-up.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a double-joint arrangement with rollers is used to prevent uncontrolled tilting of the suction nozzle, then the stability and floor contact are improved, but the force required to move the suction nozzle increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidforce required to move
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the joint arrangement, specifically setting the rear joint angle between 105° and 115° and the cumulative joint angle between 170° and 180°. This optimization of angular parameters reduces the mechanical advantage that causes high movement resistance while preserving the stability function of the double-joint roller arrangement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the suction nozzle is designed with extendable brushes to raise the nozzle base into the operating position, then the ease of operation on hard floors is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction nozzle utilizes the suction force generated during operation to automatically raise the nozzle base into the operating position on hard floors. The brushes are extended by the suction pressure itself, eliminating the need for separate extension mechanisms and reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 reduces the pushing force required to move the suction nozzle while maintaining effective dust absorption, preventing the nozzle from digging into flexible floors and ensuring a favorable frictional alignment, thus enhancing the overall usability and efficiency of the vacuum cleaner.

Implementation Method 1

at least one roller (15) which is rotatably mounted on the connecting part (2) about a first axis of rotation (16') and is arranged offset to the rear relative to the first joint (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2449934B1Suction nozzle assembly for a floor vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2449934B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2449934B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The arrangement (1) has suction nozzle (3) with suction mouth (7) having front and rear suction edges (11,12). The nozzle and suction tube connecting unit (14) are connected with connecting unit (2) at joints (4,13) where horizontal lateral axes (5,16) are pivotally connected, respectively. A roller (15) is arranged around rotational axis, and is supported in opposition to joint (4). The rear drive angle of longitudinal axis (G2) of suction tube connecting unit relative to vertical direction is between 95-125[deg] .