Suction Nozzle Spacer Layout for Cleaning Along Sealed Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hard surface cleaning devices with suction nozzles face challenges in effectively cleaning edges around seals or silicone joints, as the wiper lip can deform, leaving residual cleaning liquid due to the need for precise handling to avoid deformation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a spacer device with adjustable spacer elements that protrude laterally beyond the side edges of the wiper lip, allowing for stepless adjustment and movement, enabling the suction nozzle to be guided parallel to the frame without deforming the wiper lip, thus preventing residual liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wiper lip is used to clean surfaces with seals or silicone joints, then the cleaning function is provided, but the wiper lip deforms at the edge causing residual cleaning liquid to remain on the surface
Solution Approach 1:
A spacer element is introduced as an intermediary component between the wiper lip and the sealing element. The spacer element maintains a defined distance from the side edge of the wiper lip, preventing direct contact between the wiper lip and the sealing element, thereby avoiding deformation of the wiper lip while maintaining effective cleaning contact with the surface
2Reliability
If the user guides the suction nozzle carefully along the edge area to avoid wiper lip deformation, then the wiper lip maintains its shape, but the handling becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer element is pre-adjusted to the appropriate distance from the wiper lip side edge before cleaning operations begin. This preliminary adjustment ensures that during normal cleaning operations, the spacer element automatically maintains the optimal distance from the sealing element, eliminating the need for continuous careful manual guidance and reducing handling time
3Device complexity
If a fixed distance spacer is used, then the structure is simple, but the device cannot adapt to different sealing element widths
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer element is designed with adjustable positioning capabilities, allowing the distance between the spacer element and the wiper lip side edge to be modified. This dynamic adjustment feature enables the device to adapt to different sealing element widths while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as the adjustment mechanism integrates with the existing spacer design
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 configuration simplifies handling by allowing the suction nozzle to be guided along the frame without deforming the wiper lip, ensuring complete removal of cleaning liquid and improving cleaning results by maintaining optimal distance from the seal, thereby enhancing the overall cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device (18), with a suction opening (40) which is followed by a suction channel (36)
Data Source
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AI summary
In order for a suction nozzle (30; 30'; 30''), in particular one intended for a hard-surface-cleaning appliance (10) comprising a suction-extraction device (18), which suction nozzle (30; 30'; 30'') has a suction opening (40; 40'; 40''), which is followed by a suction channel (36), which can be connected to the suction-extraction device (18) by way of its end (38) directed away from the suction opening (40; 40'; 40''), wherein the suction nozzle (30; 30'; 30'') has at least one flexible squeegeeing lip (42; 44; 42'; 44'; 42''; 44''), which extends along the suction opening (40; 40'; 40'') and has a squeegeeing edge (56), which is oriented away from the suction opening (40; 40'; 40'') and extends in the direction (66; 66'; 66'') of the same, and two side edges (60; 62; 60'; 62'; 60''; 62''), which are oriented away from one another and run transversely to the squeegeeing edge (56), to be improved such that it is easier to handle, it is proposed that the suction nozzle should comprise a spacing device having at least one spacing element which, in a spacing position, projects laterally beyond at least one of the two side edges (60; 62; 60'; 62'; 60''; 62''). The invention also proposes an improved hard-surface-cleaning appliance (10).