Vacuum cleaner utensil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vacuum cleaner nozzles are inefficient for quick and flexible cleaning in tight spaces due to their rectangular shape and uniform airflow, which wastes suction power and is not optimized for maneuverability.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner nozzle with flexible, rotating elements that adapt to the direction of movement, creating a suction hole only in the movement direction and guiding coarse dirt towards it, while blocking airflow from other sides, and featuring hollow elements for increased drag force and under-pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional rectangular nozzles with uniform airflow openings are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the suction power is wasted and cleaning efficiency in tight spaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle incorporates flexible flaps that can dynamically change their position and orientation based on the direction of movement. These flaps rotate or flex to align with the movement direction, creating an asymmetric airflow pattern that concentrates suction power in the direction of travel rather than distributing it uniformly in all directions. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the nozzle structure responsive to operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle design allows the airflow parameters (direction, concentration, distribution) to change based on the movement direction. By using flexible flaps that can rotate or flex, the system changes the airflow parameters dynamically - concentrating suction in the movement direction while reducing or blocking airflow in other directions. This parameter change enables efficient cleaning in tight spaces without wasting suction power.
2Ease of operation
If rigid rectangular nozzle structure is used, then manufacturing is simple, but maneuverability in tight spaces and around obstacles is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle incorporates flexible flaps that can dynamically change their position and orientation based on the direction of movement. These flaps rotate or flex to align with the movement direction, creating an asymmetric airflow pattern that concentrates suction power in the direction of travel rather than distributing it uniformly in all directions. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the nozzle structure responsive to operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle uses flexible flaps made of flexible material that can bend and rotate. These flexible elements allow the nozzle to adapt its shape and airflow characteristics when maneuvering around obstacles or in tight spaces, improving ease of operation without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable structure.
3Productivity
If multiple uniform airflow openings are provided along the nozzle perimeter, then the structure is straightforward, but suction power is distributed inefficiently to all directions including non-movement directions
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle design creates different airflow characteristics in different local areas based on the movement direction. The flexible flaps concentrate suction power locally in the direction of movement while reducing or blocking airflow in other local areas. This local quality differentiation ensures that suction power is not wasted in directions where it is not needed, improving overall cleaning efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle design allows the airflow parameters (direction, concentration, distribution) to change based on the movement direction. By using flexible flaps that can rotate or flex, the system changes the airflow parameters dynamically - concentrating suction in the movement direction while reducing or blocking airflow in other directions. This parameter change enables efficient cleaning in tight spaces without wasting suction power.
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
Enhances cleaning efficiency by ensuring that suction power is focused in the direction of movement, allowing for effective cleaning of small spaces and navigating around obstacles with improved maneuverability, similar to mopping, and effectively vacuuming crevices and corners.
Implementation Method 1
The drag force of the movement causes the leaves L1 - L6 to stay behind, creating a suction hole in a movement direction MD while closing openings at other sides of the nozzle
Implementation Method 2
If the leaves L1 - L6 are hollow (as shown in Fig. 4), the suction caused by the vacuum cleaner's fan at the other end of the suction tube T will cause under-pressure in the leaves L1 - L6, which increases the drag force
Implementation Method 3
the suction caused by the vacuum cleaner's fan at the other end of the suction tube T will cause under-pressure in the leaves L1 - L6, which increases the drag force
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner utensil comprises a plurality of elements (Lx) flexibly mounted to a central area (C) to provide a suction opening at a side of the central area (C) corresponding to a current movement direction (MD) of the vacuum cleaner utensil out of a plurality of possible movement directions, while reducing a possibility for air to enter the central area (C) from a plurality of other directions. The central area (C) may rotate around its 5 center. The elements (Lx) may rotate with reference to respective axes (A) provided on the central area (C). The elements may be mounted to a single axis (Ac), and have a flexible first part having a first thickness, followed by a second part having a second thickness exceeding the first thickness, wherein - when pushed together as a result of movement - the second parts of neighboring elements (Lx) reduce a possibility for air to enter the central area (C) from 10 between the neighboring elements (Lx). The elements (Lx) may be arranged for collecting dirt from crevices (CV) over an entire operating diameter (D) of the vacuum cleaner utensil as defined by the elements (Lx). The invention also relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a nozzle formed by such a vacuum cleaner utensil, and may relate to a robot vacuum cleaner formed by such a vacuum cleaner utensil.15