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 create a suction hole aligned with the movement direction, using hollow and friction-enhancing materials to guide dirt towards the suction opening and adapt to changing directions, allowing for omnidirectional cleaning and efficient dirt collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional rectangular nozzles with uniform airflow openings are used, then structural simplicity and ease of manufacture are maintained, but suction efficiency is reduced due to wasted suction power in directions not aligned with movement
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle incorporates flexible elements that can dynamically change their configuration based on movement direction. These elements transition from a retracted state during normal operation to an extended state during movement, automatically aligning the suction opening with the direction of motion to optimize suction efficiency while maintaining simplicity when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle changes its effective geometry and airflow characteristics by extending flexible elements that redirect airflow. This parameter change allows the suction opening to be dynamically aligned with the movement direction, concentrating suction power where it is needed most while reducing waste in other directions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible, moving parts are added to create directional suction holes, then suction efficiency and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle uses flexible elements made of elastic material that can bend and extend without complex mechanical joints or actuators. These flexible components passively respond to movement forces, creating directional suction holes and guiding dirt toward the opening through elastic deformation rather than active mechanical adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible elements automatically adjust their configuration in response to the nozzle's movement without requiring external control systems. The elastic material self-regulates the extension and positioning of the elements based on the applied forces, enabling omnidirectional adaptability through passive self-adjustment rather than active control.
3Productivity
If hollow materials with friction-enhancing properties are used for flexible elements, then dirt guidance and suction alignment are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elements are constructed from composite materials combining hollow structural components with friction-enhancing surface properties. The hollow interior provides structural flexibility and buoyancy, while the exterior surface features increased friction to effectively guide dirt particles toward the suction opening, achieving multiple functions through material composition rather than separate components.
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 flexible nozzle design enhances suction efficiency by aligning airflow and dirt collection with the movement direction, improving cleaning in tight spaces and around obstacles, while reducing energy consumption and facilitating easy maneuverability.
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
Another way to increase the drag force is the selection of the material of the leaves (or at least, the part of the leaves that touch the floor). For example, rubber provides sufficient friction with the floor, seals under-pressure on hard floors, and drags on soft floors
Data Source
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