Vacuum Nozzle Soleplate Geometry for Stable Suction Edge Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design of sheet metal sliding soleplates for vacuum cleaner nozzles is limited by manufacturing processes, leading to inconsistent suction mouth edge alignment and suction properties due to manufacturing tolerances and tool variations, which can result in damage to floors and reduced dirt holding capacity.
Innovation Solution
The suction mouth walls merge into a horizontal plateau forming a suction mouth edge, with a second arc connecting to the sloping slide-on surface, geometrically decoupling the radius of the suction mouth edge from the slide-on surface, allowing for precise alignment and reduced material stress during manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the suction mouth edges are given a sharp-edged design, then the dirt holding capacity is improved, but the risk of damaging the floor increases and very high pushing forces occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the radius of the suction mouth edges within a specific range (0.3 mm to 2 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 1 mm). This controlled parameter modification allows the edges to be rounded enough to prevent floor damage while maintaining sufficient sharpness for effective dirt pickup, resolving the contradiction between dirt holding capacity and floor protection
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the radius of the suction mouth edge is increased to reduce floor damage, then the safety is improved, but the dirt holding capacity drops significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by establishing an optimal parameter range for the suction mouth edge radius (0.3 mm to 2 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 1 mm). Within this range, the edges are sufficiently rounded to prevent floor damage while maintaining the sharpness needed for effective dirt pickup, thus balancing safety and performance
3Device complexity
If a single arc is used to form the transition between suction mouth wall and slide-on surface, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of suction mouth edge alignment deteriorates due to tolerances and mold variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the transition area into two separate arcs instead of using a single arc. The first arc connects the suction mouth wall to the plateau, and the second arc connects the plateau to the slide-on surface. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each arc's radius and shape, compensating for manufacturing tolerances and mold variations to ensure precise suction mouth edge alignment
4Adaptability or versatility
If the radius of the first arc is varied to optimize suction properties, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision of suction mouth edge height level deteriorates due to tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses segmentation to decouple the radius of the first arc from the height level determination. The first arc's radius can be varied to optimize suction properties without affecting the plateau's height level, which is determined by the intersection of the first and second arcs. This allows independent optimization of suction performance while maintaining consistent edge alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal plateau acts as an intermediary element between the two arcs. It provides a reference level that stabilizes the height position of the suction mouth edges, allowing the radius of the first arc to be adjusted for optimal suction without compromising the alignment precision
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner has a jet (2) with a sliding sheet metal pad (1) with a transverse inlet (3) with front and rear walls (5a, 5b) with inclined sliding outer surfaces (4a, 4b) before and after the inlet. The transition (7) between each flat face is rounded.