Plastic Vacuum Nozzle Soleplate for Low-Resistance Carpet Suction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaner soleplates for double-jointed nozzles face challenges in maintaining even suction properties and low sliding resistance while navigating textile floor surfaces, as the edges of the suction mouth tend to dig into the carpet pile, increasing resistance and tilting moments when moved.

Innovation Solution

A plastic sliding soleplate with a horizontal plateau between the front sliding slope and suction mouth edge, ensuring a continuous seal and reduced sliding resistance, combined with a design that allows airflow to effectively loosen dust and prevent tilting, is manufactured with tight tolerances to maintain consistent flow conditions and edge suction over the entire working width.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the edges of the suction mouth dip into the carpet pile to improve dust absorption, then dust loosening and entrainment is enhanced, but sliding resistance increases and tilting moments act on the soleplate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust absorptionVSAvoidsliding resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The front edge of the suction mouth is segmented into a central section and end sections. The central section dips into the carpet pile for effective dust absorption, while the end sections are elevated to reduce sliding resistance and prevent tilting moments, creating a differentiated edge structure that balances both requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the suction mouth edge have different geometries tailored to their specific functions. The central portion has a deeper profile for carpet penetration and dust pickup, while the end portions have a shallower profile for reduced friction and stable soleplate positioning during movement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the suction mouth edges seal the suction mouth to build negative pressure, then suction properties are improved, but sliding resistance increases on textile floor surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction propertiesVSAvoidsliding resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The suction mouth edge is divided into sealing sections and sliding sections. The sealing sections provide effective sealing for negative pressure buildup, while the sliding sections at the ends have reduced contact area with the floor surface to minimize friction and maintain low sliding resistance during movement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the soleplate is designed for even suction over the entire working width, then suction uniformity is improved, but the complexity of maintaining flat positioning during movement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction uniformityVSAvoidpositioning stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction mouth and soleplate geometry are designed with asymmetric features that create stable positioning during movement. The differentiated edge profile (deeper central section, shallower end sections) and inclined sliding surfaces create natural stability points that help maintain flat soleplate positioning without requiring complex active control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 solution achieves balanced suction and sliding performance by maintaining a flat soleplate during movement, ensuring effective dirt absorption and reduced resistance, making it suitable for double-jointed nozzles.

Implementation Method 1

an effective negative suction pressure to build up in the suction mouth over the entire working width of the soleplate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative suction pressure: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

the horizontal plateau between the front sliding slope and the front edge of the suction mouth forms an effective seal between the suction mouth and the floor surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 3

the sucked-in airflow flows around the edges of the suction mouth at high air speed, so that dust is loosened from the carpet pile and entrained by the airflow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 4

dust is loosened from the carpet pile and entrained by the airflow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDust loosening and entrainment: Entrainment

Implementation Method 5

The horizontal plateau adjoining the edge of the suction mouth also improves the gliding properties of the soleplate on textile floor surfaces. The plateau helps to ensure that the front edge of the suction mouth does not dig into the textile pile when the sliding soleplate is moved forwards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSliding resistance reduction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3047775B1Sliding sole made from plastic for a vacuum cleaner nozzle
Publication Date: 2018.12.19 WESSEL WERK
  • EP3047775B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3047775B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a sliding base made of plastic for a vacuum cleaner nozzle with a suction mouth (1) formed on its underside and delimited by a front suction mouth edge (7) and a rear suction mouth edge (3), with a slide-on bevel (4) in front of the suction mouth in the working direction (1), with an inclined sliding surface (5) in the working direction behind the suction mouth (1), and with a suction opening (6) opening into the suction mouth. The front suction mouth edge (2) extends without interruption as a straight edge over the entire working width (A) of the soleplate and delimits at both ends of the suction mouth (1) an end section of the suction mouth (1) designed for edge suction. A horizontal plateau (9) is arranged between the front slide-on slope (4) and the front suction mouth edge (2), which extends at the level of the front suction mouth edge (2) with a constant width (b) over the entire length of the front suction mouth edge (2 ) extends parallel to this. The depression (7) for the thread lifter is formed in the slide-on slope (4) and is adjacent to the plateau (9).