Vacuum Cleaner Nozzle Rim Control for Fine Dust and Large Debris
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaner nozzles are ineffective in removing fine dust and other dirt from floor surfaces while attempting to aspirate larger particles without lifting the nozzle, leading to reduced cleaning efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The nozzle maintains a lowered rim position during part of the cleaning stroke to create a high pressure drop and air velocity, effectively entraining fine dust, and lifts the rim only when larger particles accumulate to allow them to enter the inlet, maintaining a strong vacuum for efficient particle aspiration without lifting the nozzle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the rim portion is lifted to allow larger particles to enter the inlet, then larger particles can be aspirated, but the vacuum is reduced and fine dust removal effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The rim portion is made dynamically movable between lowered and lifted positions based on real-time cleaning needs. The rim operating structure enables the rim to transition from a static barrier to a dynamic aperture that opens only when larger particles are detected, allowing the system to adapt its geometry to different particle sizes while maintaining optimal vacuum conditions for fine dust removal during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the inlet aperture by moving the rim portion between positions. When lifted, the aperture size increases to accommodate larger particles; when lowered, the aperture size optimizes vacuum pressure for fine dust removal. This parameter change enables the system to handle varying particle size distributions without compromising overall cleaning effectiveness
2Productivity
If the rim portion is kept lowered to maintain strong vacuum for fine dust removal, then fine dust is effectively removed, but larger particles cannot enter the inlet
Solution Approach 1:
The rim is divided into multiple separable portions that can be independently controlled by the rim operating structure. This segmentation allows selective lifting of specific rim sections to create localized openings for larger particles while maintaining the lowered position of other rim portions to preserve vacuum integrity for fine dust removal, enabling simultaneous handling of different particle sizes
3Adaptability or versatility
If the nozzle is lifted from the floor to aspirate larger particles, then larger particles can be aspirated, but the nozzle must be repositioned and vacuum interruption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the particle size adaptation function from the entire nozzle assembly and isolates it to the movable rim portion. This allows the aperture to be modified for larger particles without moving the entire nozzle, separating the aperture control function from the nozzle positioning system and enabling rapid local adjustments without global repositioning
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of lifting the nozzle in the vertical dimension to access larger particles, the invention creates a horizontal aperture opening by moving the rim portion laterally. This dimensionality change allows particle access from the side through the opened aperture while the nozzle remains firmly positioned on the floor, eliminating the need for vertical lifting and repositioning
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 approach enhances the removal of fine dust and dirt while allowing larger particles to be aspirated effectively, maintaining a strong vacuum and high air velocity, thus improving overall cleaning efficiency without the need to lift the nozzle.
Implementation Method 1
frictional forces between the tongue and the floor surface cause the tongue to be pivoted to the other of the two positions
Implementation Method 2
the pressure drop through the gap between the rim and the floor surface remains relatively high so that air velocities in that area remain relatively high, which causes fine dust and other dirt adhering to a floor surface to be entrained relatively effectively
Implementation Method 3
air velocities in that area remain relatively high, which causes fine dust and other dirt adhering to a floor surface to be entrained relatively effectively
Implementation Method 4
a relatively strong vacuum inside the outer end of the inlet and a large pressure drop across the passage between the rim and the floor surface is made available
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) bounding an inlet (2) for guiding aspirated air through the nozzle (1). The nozzle (1) comprises a rim (3, 4) along an outer end contour of the inlet (2) for contacting a floor surface area (6) when in an operating position on the floor surface (6), wherein at least a rim portion (3, 4) is movable between a 5 lowered position for contacting a floor surface (6) and a lifted position for leaving a spacing between the rim portion (3, 4) and the floor surface (6). A rim operating structure (21) is adapted for leaving the rim portion (3, 4) in the lowered position during an initial portion of a movement stroke of the nozzle over the floor surface (6) in a direction and for subsequently, during a later portion of the stroke, starting the lifting to the lifted position. This improves the aspiration of larger particles.