Vacuum cleaner nozzle, especially a static vacuum cleaner floor nozzle

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum cleaner nozzles face challenges in managing high negative pressure, which leads to increased pushing force and potential damage to floors, and reducing suction power compromises dirt removal efficiency, especially with airtight surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum cleaner nozzle with a secondary air duct featuring a movably positioned flap within the suction channel, allowing adjustable secondary air flow to reduce negative pressure and improve manageability, while minimizing noise and maintaining effective dirt removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the gap dimension between the vacuum cleaner nozzle and floor surface is reduced to accelerate suction air flow, then dirt particles can be loosened and entrained more easily, but high negative pressure sets in inside the suction channel causing the nozzle to be pressed strongly against the floor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirt removal efficiencyVSAvoidpushing force requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The suction channel is divided into two separate flow paths: a primary suction channel for cleaning air flow and a secondary air duct for additional air supply. This segmentation allows independent control of each path, enabling the secondary duct to compensate for negative pressure without affecting the primary cleaning function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary air duct acts as an intermediary element that introduces additional air into the suction system. This intermediary air flow reduces the negative pressure differential between the nozzle and floor, thereby reducing the pressing force without significantly impacting the primary suction performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If suction power is reduced to decrease pushing force, then the vacuum cleaner is easier to handle, but there is not enough suction power to safely remove loosened dirt, especially high-density particles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepushing force requirementVSAvoiddirt removal efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The air flow is segmented into two functional streams: primary suction air for dirt removal and secondary air for pressure regulation. This allows the primary suction power to remain high for effective cleaning while the secondary air reduces overall negative pressure to improve handleability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters of the suction system by introducing a controllable secondary air flow that modifies the pressure differential. This parameter change allows operation at lower negative pressure (easier handling) while maintaining sufficient suction velocity for dirt removal through the optimized primary channel geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If an automatic secondary air valve with elastic hose is used to reduce negative pressure, then pushing force is reduced, but the opening and closing characteristics cannot be adjusted and additional noise occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepushing force requirementVSAvoidvalve mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a complex automatic valve mechanism that opens under negative pressure, the invention inverts the approach by providing a manually controllable secondary air duct that remains open and allows user-adjusted air intake. This eliminates the need for automatic valves and their associated complexity and noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical automatic valve system is replaced with a simpler, manually operated air duct system. The secondary air duct with movable flap provides mechanical control without the complex automatic opening/closing mechanisms, reducing both device complexity and noise generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 adjustable secondary air flow reduces pushing force requirements, minimizes noise, and ensures efficient dirt removal without compromising suction power, even on airtight surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

due to the small gap dimensions, a high negative pressure sets in inside the suction channel. As a result, the vacuum cleaner nozzle is pressed strongly against the floor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

smaller and smaller gap dimensions are provided between the underside of the vacuum cleaner nozzles and the floor surface to be cleaned. As a result, the suction air flow is greatly accelerated in the narrow gap

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow acceleration through constriction: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3669732B1Vacuum cleaner nozzle, especially a static vacuum cleaner floor nozzle
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 WESSEL WERK
  • EP3669732B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3669732B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3669732B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle, in particular a vacuum cleaner floor nozzle, comprising a housing 1, a suction nozzle (8) arranged on the underside of the housing (1), a suction connection port (5) for connecting a suction line, and a suction channel (9) which connects the suction nozzle (8) to the suction connection port (5). Furthermore, a secondary air guide is provided. According to the invention, the secondary air guide has an opening (10) formed in the suction channel (9) and a flap (11) movably arranged within the housing (1). The flow cross-section of the secondary air guide is adjustable by the distance (s) between the flap (11) and the opening (10).