Vacuum cleaner nozzle flange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaner nozzles are ineffective in sucking up impurities embedded in certain types of carpets due to inadequate airflow and excessive pushing/pulling forces required.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum cleaner nozzle sole with a specific profile, featuring a front plate, rear chamfer, and inclined chamfers, which limits sinking into carpets, reduces friction, and maintains airflow, comprising a front plate with a length of 3.5-4.5mm, a rear chamfer 6-7 times longer, a short rear flat, and angled chamfers to minimize friction and pressure loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the nozzle sole is made longer to improve suction of embedded impurities, then suction effectiveness improves, but the nozzle sinks deeper into the carpet reducing airflow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction effectivenessVSAvoidairflow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle sole is divided into distinct functional zones: a front plate (3.5-4.5mm) for initial contact and impurity collection, a rear chamfer (6-7 times longer than front plate) for lifting and airflow maintenance, and intermediate flats. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally without the entire sole sinking into the carpet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the nozzle sole have different geometric properties tailored to their specific functions. The front plate has a specific length for effective impurity engagement, while the rear chamfer has a much greater length (6-7 times the front plate) to maintain airflow. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its particular role.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the nozzle sole has a longer profile to suck embedded impurities, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but pushing and pulling forces increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidpushing and pulling forces
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The sole profile is segmented into front plate, rear chamfer, and intermediate flats, where each segment contributes differently to the force requirements. The front plate (3.5-4.5mm) handles initial contact with minimal force, while the rear chamfer (6-7 times longer) provides leverage for lifting without requiring excessive pushing force throughout the entire sole length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The force distribution is optimized locally: the short front plate minimizes pushing force during initial contact, the intermediate flats (with specific length ratios) distribute the load, and the rear chamfer (6-7 times longer than front plate) provides mechanical advantage for lifting embedded impurities without requiring excessive user force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If the rear chamfer is made longer to maintain airflow, then suction flow rate improves, but the nozzle sinks deeper into the carpet

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction flow rateVSAvoidnozzle penetration depth
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle sole is segmented so that the rear chamfer (which determines airflow) is separated from the front contact area by intermediate flats. This allows the rear chamfer to be 6-7 times longer than the front plate, maintaining sufficient airflow while the front plate's limited length (3.5-4.5mm) prevents excessive penetration depth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different length characteristics are assigned to different zones: the front plate has a limited length (3.5-4.5mm) to control penetration depth, while the rear chamfer has a much greater length (6-7 times the front plate) to maintain airflow. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between airflow requirements and penetration control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effective suction of impurities from carpets with reduced user effort and minimized friction, maintaining a sufficient airflow rate of up to 30 liters per second through a 40mm orifice.

Implementation Method 1

at least one suction channel from the ground

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

limit the friction of the sole on the rug or carpet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3087890B1Vacuum cleaner nozzle flange
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 SEB SA
  • EP3087890B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Vacuum cleaner nozzle sole comprising: - at least one suction channel (10) from the ground, - a front plate having, in a section along a plane normal to the suction channel, a length (L1) comprised between 3.5 mm and 4.5mm and arranged in front of said at least one suction channel (10), - a rear bevel arranged behind the suction channel (10), characterized in that the rear bevel has, in said section, a length (L2) between 6 and 7 times the length (L1) of the front plate.