Vacuum Cleaner Combing Unit Isolator to Reduce Roller Contact Noise

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum cleaners face challenges in reducing noise and vibration caused by debris entanglement around the cleaning roller, which affects the efficiency of debris removal and user experience.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a combing unit with spaced teeth and angled edges to remove debris while using a combing isolator made from elastomeric materials to absorb vibration, reducing noise and vibration levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a debriding rib with teeth contacts the roller to remove debris, then debris removal effectiveness is improved, but noise and vibration increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedebris removal effectivenessVSAvoidnoise and vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A combing isolator made of elastomeric material is introduced as an intermediary component between the debriding rib and the housing. This isolator absorbs vibrations generated when the teeth contact the roller, reducing noise and vibration transmission to the housing while preserving the debris removal function of the debriding rib

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter of the isolator to elastomeric material, which has vibration-absorbing properties. This material parameter change allows the isolator to dampen vibrations from the tooth-roller contact, reducing harmful noise and vibration while maintaining effective debris removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the suction conduit is directly engaged with the surface to prevent air leakage, then suction efficiency is improved, but the suction motor may be damaged due to excessive pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction efficiencyVSAvoidmotor protection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction conduit is designed to be directly engaged with the surface to maximize sealing and suction efficiency, but a pressure relief valve is incorporated to partially release excessive pressure. This allows the system to operate at high efficiency while protecting the motor from damage through controlled pressure release

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If the suction conduit is spaced far from the surface to allow air flow, then air flow is improved, but suction efficiency decreases due to greater surface area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction efficiencyVSAvoidair flow
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The suction conduit is designed with adjustable positioning parameters that allow optimization of the distance from the surface. This enables the system to achieve both good sealing for high suction efficiency and sufficient air flow by adjusting the conduit position to an optimal distance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution effectively reduces noise and vibration, enhancing the user experience and improving debris removal efficiency by minimizing unwanted noise and vibration during operation.

Implementation Method 1

a combing isolator (500) at least partially formed from a material configured to absorb vibration caused by contact between the combing unit (149) and a cleaning roller (124)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a combing isolator (500) at least partially formed from a material configured to absorb vibration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3833220B1System and method for reducing noise and/or vibration in a cleaning apparatus with combing unit for removing debris
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
  • EP3833220B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3833220B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3833220B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cleaning apparatus may include at least one isolator configured to absorb mechanical vibration generated by contact between an agitator and a combining unit to reduce noise and/or vibration. The isolator may include at least one combing isolator disposed at least partially between the combing unit and the surface cleaning head. Alternatively (or in addition), the isolator may include a panel isolator disposed at least partially between a housing of the cleaning apparatus and a panel.