Suction nozzle with overlapping sealing elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction nozzles for vacuum cleaners struggle to reliably collect both small dust particles and coarse dirt, especially when cleaning surfaces with gaps and crevices, as coarse dirt is often pushed behind the nozzle during the return stroke due to a continuous sealing strip that impedes its collection.

Innovation Solution

A suction nozzle design featuring a multi-row arrangement of curved sealing elements with varying diameters and spacings, forming serpentine suction channels that guide coarse dirt towards the suction opening while maintaining high suction power by reducing pressure loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a continuous sealing strip is used to create high negative pressure under the nozzle, then dust pickup from carpets and hard floors is improved, but coarse dirt is pushed behind the nozzle during the return stroke and not vacuumed up

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust pickup reliabilityVSAvoidcoarse dirt collection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous sealing strip is divided into multiple discrete sealing elements arranged in rows. This segmentation allows the sealing elements to create effective seals for dust particles while the gaps between them enable coarse dirt to pass through to the suction opening during the return stroke, resolving the contradiction between reliable dust pickup and coarse dirt collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of energy

If sealing elements are arranged in multiple rows with overlapping configurations, then pressure loss is reduced and suction power is maintained, but the nozzle structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure lossVSAvoidsealing element arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing elements are arranged in multiple rows along the longitudinal axis of the nozzle, extending the sealing structure in the longitudinal dimension rather than simply increasing transverse density. This multi-row configuration creates overlapping sealing zones that reduce pressure loss while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through systematic arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the suction nozzle is designed to be compact, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to collect both fine dust and coarse dirt simultaneously is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle compactnessVSAvoidmulti-size dirt collection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented sealing elements create multiple suction channels between them, allowing fine dust to be captured through the sealing element gaps while coarse dirt passes through the larger spaces. This segmentation enables dual functionality in a compact arrangement, maintaining ease of operation while preserving multi-size dirt collection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-row sealing elements are arranged in a nested configuration where rows are positioned at different longitudinal locations. This nesting allows the sealing structure to maintain compact overall dimensions while providing multiple levels of filtration for different particle sizes, enabling simultaneous collection of fine dust and coarse dirt.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 design ensures efficient collection of both fine dust and coarse dirt by minimizing pressure loss and optimizing the path of airflow, enhancing the nozzle's ability to pick up debris effectively, even in tight spaces.

Implementation Method 1

This seal creates particularly high negative pressure under the nozzle, which loosens and carries away dirt particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The airflow propels the dirt from the suction opening into a dirt collection container within the vacuum device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP4382013B1Suction nozzle with overlapping sealing elements
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP4382013B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP4382013B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3a
  • EP4382013B1 patent drawingFigure 3b~5

AI summary

A suction nozzle (100) for a suction device is described. The suction nozzle (100) comprises a suction mouth (101) with a suction mouth opening on the underside of the suction nozzle (100), which, during operation of the suction nozzle (100), faces the surface (220) to be cleaned. Furthermore, the suction nozzle (100) comprises an arrangement (202) of spaced-apart sealing elements (300) located on the underside of the suction nozzle (100). The arrangement (202) of sealing elements (300) comprises a first row (305) of sealing elements (300), which are successively spaced from one another along the transverse axis of the suction nozzle (100) by a first transverse distance (315), and a second row (306) of sealing elements (300), which are successively spaced from one another along the transverse axis by a second transverse distance (316).The sealing elements (300) are arranged such that sealing elements (300) of the first row (305) have an overlap (314, 318) along the longitudinal axis and/or along the transverse axis with sealing elements (300) of the second row (306).