Vacuum Cleaner Nozzle Tilt Adjustment for Dust Pickup and Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaner nozzles face challenges in balancing dust pick-up capacity with motion resistance and energy efficiency, particularly in adapting to different surfaces and user preferences.
Innovation Solution
A passive nozzle with a tilt-adjusting element that allows the inlet part to tilt within two ranges, reducing motion resistance in one mode and increasing dust pick-up in another, by varying the angle of the suction opening relative to the surface, thus optimizing airflow and engagement with the surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the underpressure is increased to improve dust pick-up capacity, then the dust pick-up performance is improved, but the motion resistance of the nozzle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet part is made movable relative to the intermediate part through a hinged connection, allowing the nozzle to dynamically adjust its configuration. The inlet part can tilt relative to the intermediate part, enabling the nozzle to adapt between different operational states: one optimized for dust pick-up and another for reduced motion resistance, thus resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.
2Force
If the air flow is increased to reduce motion resistance, then the motion resistance is reduced, but the energy consumption of the motor unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable inlet part allows the nozzle to dynamically adjust its configuration. In one position, the inlet part is oriented to maximize air flow and reduce motion resistance. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to reduce motion resistance through mechanical means rather than increasing motor power, thus avoiding increased energy consumption.
3Productivity
If the nozzle is designed to be more aggressive with the surface to increase dust pick-up, then the dust pick-up is improved, but the motion resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinged connection between the inlet part and intermediate part enables the nozzle to dynamically adjust its engagement with the surface. The inlet part can tilt to create different engagement levels: a more aggressive engagement for enhanced dust pick-up on carpets, and a less aggressive engagement for reduced motion resistance on hard floors, thus resolving the contradiction between dust pick-up and motion resistance.
4Ease of operation
If the nozzle is designed to be more user-friendly with reduced motion resistance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the dust pick-up capacity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The movable inlet part allows the nozzle to be adjusted between a configuration optimized for ease of operation (reduced motion resistance) and one optimized for dust pick-up capacity. Users can dynamically adjust the inlet part's position depending on the cleaning task and surface type, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and dust pick-up capacity.
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 provides users with two operational modes: reduced motion resistance for ease of use and increased dust pick-up with reduced energy consumption, depending on surface type and cleaning needs, enhancing flexibility and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate part (120) hingedly or pivotally connected to the outlet part (110), and an inlet part (130) having a suction opening (134). The inlet part (130) is hingedly connected to the intermediate part (120)
Implementation Method 2
The nozzle (100) further comprises a tilt adjusting element (240), which can be arranged in a first position in which it allows a tilting motion of the inlet part (130) within a first range, and in a second position in which it limits the tilting motion of the inlet part (130) within a second range that is smaller than the first range.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A nozzle (100, 200) for a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The nozzle comprises an outlet part (110) adapted to be coupled to a hose of the vacuum cleaner, an intermediate part (120, 220), and an inlet part (130, 230, 330). The inlet part is hingedly connected to the intermediate part so as to allow for the inlet part to tilt relative to the intermediate part. The nozzle further comprises a tilt adjusting element (240, 340), which can be arranged in a first position in which it allows a tilting motion of the inlet part within a first range, and in a second position in which it limits the tilting motion of the inlet part within a second range that is smaller than the first range so as to reduce a maximum air flow entering the nozzle.