Vacuum Nozzle with Integrated Light for Dark-Area Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaner attachments lack effective illumination for cleaning dark areas, such as under automobile seats, and often suffer from reduced airflow and complex designs, leading to inefficient debris removal.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum nozzle attachment with a tapered body and integrated light emitting elements, allowing for illumination of the cleaning surface while maintaining enhanced airflow, designed for use with various vacuum appliances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a crevice tool or extension wand is used to reach confined spaces, then accessibility to dark areas is improved, but visibility for determining complete debris removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vacuum nozzle function with an integrated light emitting element into a single unified attachment tool. This merging allows the tool to simultaneously provide vacuum cleaning capability and illumination, eliminating the need for separate lighting equipment when cleaning confined dark spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum nozzle attachment is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides both the vacuum suction capability for debris removal and the illumination function through the integrated light emitting element. This multi-functionality allows a single tool to address both accessibility and visibility requirements in confined dark areas.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing attachment tools are used for confined space cleaning, then reach is improved, but airflow efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to optimize the geometric parameters of the nozzle body, including the tapered configuration and internal passage dimensions. These parameter changes maintain airflow efficiency by minimizing turbulence and pressure drops while still achieving the necessary reach into confined spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle body features a tapered configuration with curved surfaces that guide airflow smoothly from the vacuum source into the confined space. The curved geometry reduces flow separation and maintains higher velocities compared to abrupt angular transitions, thereby preserving airflow efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing attachment tools are used for confined space cleaning, then accessibility is improved, but design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the light emitting element directly into the nozzle body structure, eliminating the need for separate lighting equipment and complex mounting mechanisms. This merging approach provides illumination functionality while maintaining a simple, unified tool design that is easy to attach and maneuver.
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
Enables effective illumination of dark areas during cleaning, improving visibility and debris removal efficiency without compromising airflow or tool complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a light assembly comprising a housing containing at least one light emitting element that emits light in a UV or visible spectrum and that will illuminate a surface to be cleaned
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum appliance... operable to create a vacuum pressure... The nozzle body is tapered and configured to maintain enhanced vacuum pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum accessory tool that includes a nozzle body having a first end and a second, spaced apart end and at least one light emitting element that emits light that will illuminate a surface to be cleaned by the accessory tool is described. The light emitting element is protected by a protective housing that protects the element when the tool is inserted into areas during cleaning, yet still allows the light to illuminate surfaces during operation.