Vacuum Suction Nozzle Coupling to Prevent Floor Sticking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vacuum cleaners face mobility issues due to increased under-pressure in the nozzle, causing it to stick to surfaces, especially soft floors, which can lead to the device becoming inoperable as the drive system lacks sufficient power to overcome the enhanced downward force.
Innovation Solution
The suction unit incorporates coupling means, such as a bellows, piston and cylinder assembly, or linear actuator, to exert a force away from the surface when under-pressure increases, reducing the normal force on the nozzle and improving traction by counteracting the increased pressure with a counter force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the nozzle is completely sealed from the outside atmosphere to improve particle removal, then the under pressure in the nozzle increases, but the nozzle gets stuck on the surface to be treated
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling means (bellows, piston-cylinder assembly, or linear actuator) are configured to detect increasing under-pressure in the nozzle and automatically exert a counteracting force directed away from the surface to prevent the nozzle from getting stuck. This preliminary anti-action counterbalances the downward adhesive force before it completely immobilizes the suction unit, maintaining both sealing effectiveness and mobility.
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
This solution effectively reduces the likelihood of the nozzle getting stuck and enhances the driving system's traction, allowing the vacuum cleaner to move more easily over various surfaces by counteracting the increased downward force with a counter force exerted by the coupling means.
Implementation Method 1
When the under pressure in the nozzle increases the under pressure in the bellows will also increase. Or in other words the pressure in the bellows drops. Accordingly the bellows will contract and exert a counter force on the nozzle that is directed away from the surface to be treated.
Implementation Method 2
a fan unit that communicates with the dust chamber, the fan unit communicating with the outlet for creating under pressure in the interior space of the nozzle in operating conditions
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a suction unit and relates to a vacuum cleaner. The suction unit comprises a drive system for driving the suction unit over a surface to be treated; a chassis supporting the drive system; a nozzle for removing particles from a surface to be treated which nozzle is configured to move with relation to the chassis in a direction away from the surface to be treated, the nozzle having an interior space defining an opening that faces the surface to be treated; and an outlet communicating with the interior space, the outlet being arranged for communication with a fan unit in operating conditions. The suction unit further comprises coupling means for coupling the nozzle to the chassis, wherein the coupling means is arranged to exert a force that is directed away from the surface to be treated when the under pressure in the interior space increases. In this manner the problem of the suction unit getting stuck on the floor can be overcome or at least be reduced. Furthermore the traction of the drive system can be improved. An autonomous vacuum cleaner according to the invention comprises such a suction unit and further comprises a dust chamber, and a fan unit that communicates with the dust chamber, the fan unit communicating with the outlet for creating under pressure in the interior space of the nozzle in operating conditions.