Vacuum Cleaner Nozzle with Rotatable Base for Multi-Surface Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaner nozzles lack an efficient mechanism to switch between different cleaning conditions for various surfaces without requiring complex valve mechanisms or increased force, leading to potential debris deposition and reduced suction efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle design with a rotatable base that has distinct cleaning sides for hard and soft surfaces, allowing air and debris to be sucked through alternate outlets without a valve mechanism, enabling easy switching between cleaning conditions and minimizing wear on the nozzle components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a valve mechanism is used to block the suction outlet not in use, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the valve mechanism from the system entirely. Instead of using a valve to block the unused suction outlet, the design allows both outlets to remain open while using airflow control to direct suction through the intended path. This eliminates the complexity of valve mechanisms while maintaining cleaning efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces airflow as an intermediary to control the suction path. By manipulating air flow dynamics rather than using mechanical valves, the system achieves efficient cleaning without the complexity of valve mechanisms. The airflow itself acts as the mediator that directs debris through the appropriate outlet.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a valve mechanism is used to switch between cleaning conditions, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased force requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the valve mechanism that required significant force to operate. By allowing both suction outlets to remain open and using airflow control instead of mechanical blocking, the system achieves adaptability between different cleaning conditions without requiring the user to apply excessive force.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vacuum cleaner's own airflow to control the suction path automatically. The airflow dynamics self-regulate which outlet is used based on the cleaning conditions, eliminating the need for manual valve operation and reducing the force required by the user.
3Device complexity
If the base is fixed in one position, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the base rotatable relative to the body, transforming it from a fixed to a dynamic component. This allows the user to rotate the base to present different cleaning surfaces (e.g., hard floor or carpet side) to different surface types, providing adaptability while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The base is designed with multiple cleaning surfaces that can be rotated into position depending on the surface type being cleaned. This multi-functional design allows a single base structure to handle both hard floors and carpets, increasing adaptability without requiring multiple separate bases.
4Device complexity
If debris accumulates on the unused cleaning side, then device complexity is reduced, but harmful factors increase due to potential debris deposition on the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies suction to the unused cleaning side before it is needed, removing any accumulated debris in advance. This preliminary cleaning action prevents debris from being deposited on the surface when the base is rotated, eliminating the harmful effect without requiring a complex debris removal mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful accumulated debris into a benefit by using the suction system to actively remove it. The same suction mechanism that cleans the surface also cleans the unused side of the base, turning what would be a harmful accumulation into a useful cleaning opportunity.
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 nozzle effectively cleans both hard and soft surfaces with reduced force and wear, maintaining suction efficiency and hygiene by allowing debris accumulation on unused sides to be removed, and preventing debris from being deposited on the surface.
Implementation Method 1
a suction chamber and the base encloses one side of the suction chamber when the base is in one of the cleaning conditions. The at least one cleaning side that is not acting on the surface may be subjected to suction in the suction chamber so that any debris that has accumulated on the one of that cleaning side may be removed by the suction.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner. The nozzle comprises a body (2) and a base (3). The base (3) has a longitudinal axis, and at least two cleaning sides (17, 18) configured to act on a surface in respective cleaning conditions. The base (3) is rotatable around a rotational axis (A-A) that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base to move the base (3) between the respective cleaning conditions.