Vacuum cleaner nozzle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hard floor nozzles face challenges in maintaining performance levels and Dust Pick-Up (DPU) classes for energy label ratings, particularly in achieving crevice dust pickup class 'A' when the DPU value is lower than 111%, which affects energy efficiency and cleaning effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum cleaner nozzle with alternatingly opening left and right side openings, utilizing rotating elements such as discs or wheels with phased openings to optimize airflow and suction power, ensuring that the nozzle can maintain or improve DPU performance beyond 111% at various energy levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the input power of the vacuum cleaner is reduced to achieve better energy label ratings, then energy efficiency is improved, but dust pickup performance (DPU) deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiddust pickup performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by alternatingly opening and closing side openings using rotating elements with phased openings. This periodic opening/closing mechanism creates varying airflow patterns that enhance dust pickup performance without requiring increased power input, thus maintaining energy efficiency while improving productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by using rotating elements that dynamically adjust the opening state of side openings during operation. This dynamic control allows optimization of airflow characteristics at different rotational positions, enabling effective dust pickup with lower energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If both left and right side openings are kept open simultaneously, then airflow quantity increases, but airflow velocity decreases reducing suction power

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow quantityVSAvoidairflow velocity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating elements create periodic opening and closing of side openings, ensuring that openings are alternately open rather than simultaneously open. This periodic action maintains airflow quantity while preventing velocity reduction by avoiding parallel flow paths that would divide and weaken the suction stream

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The phased opening design of rotating elements performs preliminary action by pre-positioning the openings to ensure proper airflow sequencing. This prevents simultaneous opening that would reduce velocity, while still allowing sufficient airflow quantity through the alternating pattern

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enhances crevice dust pickup performance to over 111% and achieves a hard floor label 'A' by optimizing airflow and air velocity, while maintaining energy efficiency, ensuring effective cleaning with lower energy requirements.

Implementation Method 1

The nozzle may comprise a wheel axis, and a mechanism coupled with the wheel axis to alternatingly open the left and right side openings. The mechanism may comprise rotating elements, e.g. discs, having alternating open sections and closed sections, the rotating elements being mounted on the wheel axis to alternatingly block the left and right side openings.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow optimization through alternating opening mechanism:

Implementation Method 2

Vacuum cleaner nozzle... suction port on a rear end side of the case body... suction port on a front end side of the case body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3691504B1Vacuum cleaner nozzle
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3691504B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2e

AI summary

Vacuum cleaner nozzle (N) having left and right side openings (O) that are alternatingly open when the vacuum cleaner nozzle is moved along a floor. The nozzle may comprise a wheel axis, and a mechanism coupled with the wheel axis to alternatingly open the left and right side openings (O). The mechanism may comprise rotating elements, e.g. discs, (Dl, Dr) having alternating open sections and closed sections, the rotating elements (Dl, Dr) being mounted on the wheel axis to alternatingly block the left and right side openings (O). The rotating elements (Dl, Dr) may be formed by wheels of the vacuum cleaner nozzle. The invention further relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising such a vacuum cleaner nozzle (N).