Vacuum cleaner nozzle and method for operating a vacuum cleaner nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum cleaners require high energy consumption and noise emissions to effectively pick up coarse dirt due to the need for high suction pressure, which is inefficient and undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner nozzle with an integrated intermediate container that temporarily stores coarse dirt at reduced suction pressure, allowing fine dirt to be conveyed to a collection container while minimizing energy consumption, and increasing airflow only when necessary to empty the intermediate container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high suction pressure is applied to transport coarse dirt, then coarse dirt can be conveyed into the collection container, but energy consumption and noise emission increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The collection container is divided into two separate containers: a first container for coarse dirt and a second container for fine dirt. This segmentation allows the system to handle different types of dirt separately, enabling the suction fan to operate at lower power for fine dirt while coarse dirt is collected by the brush roller's mechanical action alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The first container acts as an intermediary for coarse dirt collection. By providing this intermediate storage, the system can collect coarse dirt during low-power operation and then empty it in a separate high-power phase, decoupling the collection and transport functions.
2Productivity
If high suction pressure is applied to transport coarse dirt, then coarse dirt can be conveyed into the collection container, but noise emission increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The collection container is divided into two separate containers: a first container for coarse dirt and a second container for fine dirt. This segmentation allows the system to handle different types of dirt separately, enabling the suction fan to operate at lower power for fine dirt while coarse dirt is collected by the brush roller's mechanical action alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction fan operates periodically with alternating power levels: low power during normal operation for fine dirt collection, and high power only when needed to empty the first container of coarse dirt. This periodic operation significantly reduces average noise emission.
3Productivity
If the suction fan operates at high power continuously, then all dirt can be transported effectively, but energy consumption increases to four times the necessary level
Solution Approach 1:
The suction fan's power output is made dynamic rather than static. It operates at low power during normal cleaning operations and automatically increases to high power only when the first container needs to be emptied, optimizing energy consumption based on actual operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush roller continuously collects both coarse and fine dirt during operation. The suction fan continuously transports fine dirt at low power. Only the emptying of coarse dirt requires intermittent high-power operation, maintaining continuous useful action while minimizing energy waste.
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
Reduces energy consumption by operating the suction fan at lower power levels during normal operation, minimizing noise and energy usage, with energy consumption reduced to a quarter of normal levels, and temporarily increasing to handle coarse dirt transport.
Implementation Method 1
the suction pressure is just sufficient to fill the intermediate container, which is located essentially at the same level or slightly elevated, with the coarse dirt that cannot be blown away
Implementation Method 2
Filling is achieved primarily by the mechanical energy of the brush roller, which is only minimally assisted by the reduced suction pressure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A method for operating a vacuum cleaner nozzle of a floor or upright vacuum cleaner, each with a suction blower whose speed and/or power can be controlled, wherein in a first method step the suction power of the suction blower is set so low that the suction pressure in the vacuum cleaner nozzle is just sufficient to convey the coarse dirt picked up into an intermediate container and deposit it there, and to convey the fine dirt picked up into a downstream collection container (normal operation), and wherein in a second method step the fill level in the intermediate container with respect to the coarse dirt deposited therein is detected, and wherein in a third method step, if the fill level in the intermediate container is exceeded, the suction power of the suction blower is increased in such a way that the coarse dirt temporarily deposited in the intermediate container becomes airborne and is conveyed into the downstream collection container (emptying operation).