Vacuum-cleaner nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum-cleaner nozzles face challenges in efficiently picking up coarse dirt particles due to a small air gap, which can lead to reduced cleaning efficiency and potential damage to surfaces, and existing solutions for varying nozzle height are not flexible or desirable for all cleaning scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum-cleaner nozzle with a vertically displaceable floor-engaging support that is spring-loaded, allowing for adjustable height and intuitive operation, combined with a cleaning attachment for enhanced dirt removal and surface protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the vacuum-cleaner nozzle forms a very small floor gap to concentrate cleaning power on the surface, then cleaning efficiency on smooth floors is improved, but coarse dirt particles cannot enter the suction mouth and accumulate in front of it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a spring-loaded support mechanism that allows the nozzle to dynamically adjust its height relative to the floor surface. The spring bias enables the nozzle to automatically adapt between a lower position for smooth floors and a higher position for coarse dirt, resolving the contradiction between concentrated cleaning power and particle intake capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the vertical position parameter of the suction mouth relative to the floor surface. By providing adjustable height through the spring-loaded support, the system can modify the air gap dimension to match different cleaning scenarios, enabling both small gap operation for efficiency and larger gap operation for particle access
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vacuum-cleaner nozzle is raised to allow coarse dirt particles to enter, then particle aspiration is improved, but cleaning power concentration on the surface is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded support provides dynamic height adjustment, allowing the operator to raise the nozzle when coarse particles are present and lower it when concentrated surface cleaning is needed. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction by enabling context-dependent positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism allows periodic adjustment between two operational states: low position for efficient surface cleaning and high position for particle intake. The operator can switch between these states as needed during the cleaning process, addressing the contradictory requirements at different times
3Device complexity
If a fixed height nozzle design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to adapt to different cleaning scenarios is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded support is applied locally at the rear of the nozzle rather than requiring complex adjustment mechanisms throughout the entire device. This localized solution provides height adaptability while maintaining overall structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism automatically adjusts the nozzle height based on the cleaning surface conditions and particle type without requiring complex electronic controls or multiple adjustment mechanisms. The system serves itself by using spring force to maintain optimal positioning
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 adjustable nozzle design ensures effective aspiration of coarse dirt particles while protecting surfaces, offering improved cleaning efficiency and convenience by varying the suction mouth's distance from the floor and integrating a cleaning attachment for combined suction and wet-wipe functions.
Implementation Method 1
A spring-loaded support rearward of the rear suction-mouth edge lifts the rear end of the housing
Implementation Method 2
a subatmospheric pressure generated in the vacuum cleaner also is also present inside the nozzle housing and at the area of the mouth. As a result, the suction air stream is drawn in from the surroundings
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum-cleaner nozzle has a housing formed with a downwardly open suction mouth on a lower face of the housing and having a front mouth edge and a rear mouth edge. A suction fitting on a rear end of the housing and opening into the housing serves for drawing air in through the mouth. A floor-engaging support rearward of the rear mouth edge is vertically displaceable relative to the housing between upper and lower positions. A spring biases the support into the lower position.