Vacuum cleaner suction head with three positions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaners with suction heads lack an efficient mechanism for adapting to different surface types, requiring multiple complex mechanisms or manual adjustments to optimize cleaning performance.

Innovation Solution

A suction head design featuring a single lever that actuates a mechanism to position brushes in three distinct configurations, allowing for easy adaptation to smooth floors, carpets, and tilted scraping positions, facilitated by pivot connections and angular stops to optimize contact and airflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single lever mechanism is used to adapt the suction head to different surfaces, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity is reduced while maintaining adaptability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of adaptationVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single lever mechanism serves multiple functions: it simultaneously controls brush positioning (raised/lowered), fork orientation (neutral/tilted), and adapts the suction head to different surface types (smooth floors, carpets, rugs). This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing comprehensive adaptation capability through a single control element, improving ease of operation without requiring multiple separate mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism employs dynamic elements including a movable fork that can pivot between neutral and tilted positions, brushes that can be raised or lowered relative to the soleplate, and angular stops that allow controlled movement. These dynamic components enable the system to adapt its configuration based on the selected lever position, maintaining versatility while using a simple control mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the suction head is designed with fixed brush and fork positions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface adaptationVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction head is divided into separable functional components: the soleplate with brushes, the fork connecting to the sleeve, and the angular stops. This segmentation allows each component to be independently positioned and controlled, enabling adaptation to different surfaces while keeping the overall structure manageable and not overly complex

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism uses spring-loaded brushes that automatically adjust to surface contact, and angular stops that self-lock the fork in tilted or neutral positions based on the lever selection. This self-adjusting behavior provides adaptability without requiring complex active control systems, resolving the contradiction between versatility and simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple mechanisms are used to adapt the suction head to different surfaces, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface adaptationVSAvoidease of use
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple adaptation functions into a single integrated lever mechanism. This single control simultaneously manages brush positioning, fork orientation, and overall head adaptation, eliminating the need for multiple separate controls. This consolidation improves ease of operation by providing a unified, intuitive control interface while maintaining comprehensive adaptability through the coordinated action of the integrated mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3360453B1Vacuum cleaner suction head with three positions
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 SEB SA
  • EP3360453B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3360453B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3360453B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a suction head (1) for a vacuum cleaner, comprising a sole (5), at least one brush (13, 14), a connecting sleeve (2) and a fork (3) arranged between the sole and the sleeve and mounted in pivot connections with axes (X1) transverse to said sole and said sleeve, said suction head comprises a lever (20), configured to actuate a mechanism according to three positions for: - in the first position, lowering the at least one brush (13, 14) and positioning it projecting from the underside (15) allowing the fork (3) to pivot relative to the sole (5); - in the second position, mount the at least one brush (13, 14) and position it set back from the underside (15) allowing the fork (3) to pivot relative to the sole (5); - in the third position, maintain the at least one brush (13, 14) set back from the underside (15) by blocking the fork (3) vis-à-vis the sole (5). The invention also relates to a vacuum cleaner equipped with such a suction head (1).