Vacuum Cleaner Nozzle Hinge Layout to Prevent Suction Plate Lift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum cleaner nozzles with hinged rigid parts experience a moment of force that causes the suction plate to lift away from the surface being cleaned, disrupting the cleaning process due to the suction force in the air duct.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle design with an air duct extending through a suction plate, an intermediate part, and an outlet part connected by two hinged connections, where the pivot axis of the first hinged connection goes through the air duct, and a wheel with its rotational axis coinciding with this pivot axis is used to support the nozzle, reducing the moment of force and allowing the suction plate to tilt and move effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the pivot axis of the first hinged connection is positioned outside the air duct, then the structure is simpler to manufacture, but the moment of force from suction lifts the suction plate away from the surface, disrupting cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot axis is repositioned from a conventional location outside the air duct to a position that extends through the air duct itself. This dimensional repositioning reduces the moment arm distance between the suction force and pivot axis, thereby reducing the lifting moment while maintaining structural simplicity
2Ease of operation
If smaller wheels are used to keep the rotational axis closer to the surface, then the nozzle is more maneuverable, but the wheel cannot effectively move over obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the wheel's rotational axis at the elevated location (through the air duct rather than below), larger wheels become feasible. This vertical repositioning allows the wheel to clear obstacles more effectively while the hinged connections provide the necessary maneuverability
3Stability of the object's composition
If the rotational axis of the wheel is positioned below the air duct, then the wheel is closer to the surface for better stability, but the height is reduced limiting wheel size
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational axis is repositioned vertically to pass through the air duct, elevating it above the traditional below-duct position. This enables larger wheel diameter while maintaining stability through the hinged connection design
4Ease of manufacture
If rigid parts with hinged connections are used instead of a flexible tube, then material and manufacturing costs are reduced, but the suction force generates a moment of force that interrupts cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot axis is repositioned to extend through the air duct, reducing the moment arm and thereby reducing the disruptive moment of force while maintaining the cost advantages of rigid parts with hinged connections
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 design reduces interruptions during cleaning by minimizing the moment of force that lifts the suction plate, enhancing cleaning performance and facilitating movement over obstacles with larger wheels, while also simplifying manufacturing and reducing the risk of dirt tangling in the air duct.
Implementation Method 1
The outlet part is coupled to the intermediate part by a first hinged connection, and the intermediate part is coupled to the suction plate by a second hinged connection
Implementation Method 2
at least one wheel coupled to the intermediate part and/or the outlet part, wherein the at least one wheel is arranged to support the nozzle on a surface being cleaned
Implementation Method 3
an air duct extending through the nozzle for guiding air and dust towards a hose of the vacuum cleaner
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A nozzle (1) for a vacuum cleaner (100) is provided. The nozzle comprises a suction plate (7) having a suction opening for the purpose of taking in dust, a rigid intermediate part (6), a rigid outlet part (5),and at least one wheel (11) coupled to the intermediate part and/or the outlet part. An air duct (10) extends through the suction plate, the intermediate part and the outlet part. The outlet part is coupled to the intermediate part by a first hinged connection (8), and the intermediate part is coupled to the suction plate by a second hinged connection (9). Further, the first hinged connection is arranged such that its pivot axis (15) extends through the air duct. Further, a rotational axis of the wheel coincides with the pivot axis of the first hinged connection. With the present nozzle,interruptions in the cleaning resulting from elevation of the nozzle are reduced, whereby the cleaning performance is improved.