Suction Nozzle Support Lip Profile for Vertical Hard Surface Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suction nozzles for portable hard surface suction devices struggle to effectively clean vertical surfaces from top to bottom without leaving streaks, as they require horizontal movement near the floor and have limited angular range for optimal suction function.
Innovation Solution
The support lip of the suction nozzle is injection molded with a profile that allows for a wider range of contact pressure and angular adjustment, featuring profile elements that guide liquid to the suction opening, enabling continuous vertical cleaning and improved fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the wiper lip and support lip are made relatively narrow to maintain structural simplicity, then manufacturing is easier, but the angular range for optimal suction function is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support lip is segmented into multiple support lip profile elements (protrusions and/or recesses) arranged along its length. This segmentation allows different portions of the support lip to interact with the surface at varying angles, effectively increasing the overall angular range while maintaining a compact structure that is easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the support lip are given different local geometries through the profile elements. Some sections have protrusions that engage with the surface at certain angles, while other sections have recesses that accommodate different angles. This local variation in geometry enables the narrow support lip to adapt to a wider range of angles without compromising structural simplicity.
2Force
If the contact pressure is increased to improve suction function, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but the support lip is pressed flat against the hard surface preventing liquid from reaching the suction opening
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented profile elements create discrete contact points rather than continuous contact along the support lip. This allows pressure to be concentrated at specific engagement points while leaving gaps through which liquid can flow to the suction opening, resolving the contradiction between needing sufficient contact pressure and maintaining liquid flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The profile elements act as intermediaries between the support lip and the hard surface. They provide the necessary mechanical engagement and pressure distribution while their geometric design (protrusions and recesses) creates channels that guide liquid flow to the suction opening, mediating between the conflicting requirements of pressure and fluid access.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the support lip is made wider to increase tolerance range in contact pressure, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making the support lip uniformly wider, the invention segments it into multiple profile elements. This segmentation provides the tolerance range of a wider structure while maintaining the compact footprint and simplicity of a narrower single-piece design, effectively resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The profile elements introduce geometric parameters (protrusions and recesses) that modify the mechanical and fluid dynamic characteristics of the support lip. These parameter changes enable the structure to accommodate a wider range of contact pressures and angles without actually increasing the overall dimensions or fundamental complexity of the support lip.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a suction nozzle particularly for a portable, hard-surface suction device that comprises a suction arrangement, in which said suction nozzle comprises a suction opening to which a suction channel is attached, and the suction channel end which faces away from the suction opening is or can be connected to said suction arrangement. At least one flexible wiper lip which extends along the suction opening and comprises a wiper lip edge that faces away from said suction opening and extends in the direction of same, and one support lip which extends parallel or substantially parallel to the wiper lip and comprises a support lip edge facing away from the suction opening and extending in the direction of same, are arranged or formed on said suction nozzle. In order to improve particularly the handling of such a suction nozzle when cleaning the floor end of hard surfaces, particularly vertical hard surfaces, it is suggested that, on a support lip outer side facing away from the wiper lip and defining a support lip outer surface, said support lip has a support lip profile which comprises a plurality of support lip profiled elements arranged or formed on said support lip outer side, and that these support lip profiled elements comprise support lip profiled element surfaces which face away from the support lip outer side and form a section of said support lip outer surface. The invention also relates to an improved hard-surface suction device.