Vacuum Cleaner Suction Head With Two-Stage Debris Strip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered vacuum cleaners face limitations in suction power and cleaning efficiency compared to mains-powered models, and existing cleaning strips do not effectively lift large debris without causing mechanical issues or reducing airflow efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A suction head with a movable cleaning strip featuring first and second elements that provide a two-stage movement, allowing the strip to be raised sufficiently to collect large debris while maintaining airflow efficiency, and a rotatable brush for enhanced debris collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional fixed cleaning strip is used at the front of the suction head, then the structure is simple, but large debris cannot be effectively collected as the strip blocks the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning strip is made movable between a first position (blocking the opening) and a second position (clearing the opening) through a mechanical linkage connected to the handle. When the user lifts the handle, the linkage raises the cleaning strip to clear large debris, and when the handle is lowered, the strip returns to block the opening for normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning strip is positioned to automatically block the opening during normal operation, preliminarily preventing large debris from entering the suction head without requiring active intervention. When large debris needs to be collected, the user activates the handle mechanism which preliminarily clears the path before the debris reaches the opening.
2Device complexity
If a single-element cleaning strip mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but the strip cannot be raised sufficiently to clear large debris effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism is segmented into two distinct elements: a first element connected to the handle that provides initial lifting motion, and a second element that provides additional lifting motion. This segmentation allows the cleaning strip to be raised in two stages to achieve sufficient clearance height for large debris while keeping each individual element relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The two-element lifting mechanism is arranged in a nested configuration where the second element is positioned to act on the cleaning strip after the first element has provided initial lift. This nested arrangement maximizes the lifting distance within a compact space, allowing sufficient clearance for large debris without requiring an overly complex or space-consuming mechanism.
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 significantly enhances cleaning efficiency by allowing larger debris to be collected and fine dust to be removed from crevices, with improved airflow and reduced mechanical complexity, particularly benefiting battery-powered vacuum cleaners.
Implementation Method 1
The brush is rotated and engages the surface which is being cleaned. The brush helps to dislodge dirt and debris from the surface which is then entrained in the air flow
Implementation Method 2
The air is forced to pass underneath the wall and through the underlying carpet or the like whereby to dislodge dirt and debris from between the fibres of the carpet
Implementation Method 3
The air then passes through one or more filters before leaving the vacuum cleaner, the filters being arranged to trap the dirt and debris within the dirt-collection chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to a suction head (10) for a vacuum cleaner and method of operation. The suction head (10) has a bottom surface (26) and one or more floor-engaging parts (36) adjacent to the bottom surface (26), an opening (24) in the bottom surface (26) and a rotatable brush (30) located at the opening (24). The suction head (10) has a front end (16) and a rear end (18), the front end (16) having a recess (22) in communication with the opening (24). A movable strip (42) is located in the recess (22), the movable strip (42) being movable between a first position and a second position, the bottom edge of the movable strip 4(2) being closer to the plane of the floor-engaging parts (36) in its first position than in its second position. At least one first element (54) is connected to the movable strip (42) and is able to project to the plane of the floor-engaging parts (36). At least one second element (56) is also connected to the movable strip (42), the second element(s) (56) being configured differently to the first element(s) (54), the second element(s) (56) being able to project to the plane of the floor-engaging parts (36) and being configured to move the movable strip (42) to a third position in use. The bottom edge of the movable strip (42) is closer to the plane of the floor-engaging parts (36) in its second position than in its third position. According to the method of operation, the movable strip (42) moves to its first position during backwards movement of the suction head (10) and to its third position during forwards movement of the suction head (10), the movable strip (42) moving to its third position in two stages.