A self-righting cleaning appliance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cleaning appliances, such as vacuum cleaners, often tip over and become stuck when they fall, requiring users to disassemble parts to access and empty the dust collection apparatus, which is cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A self-righting cleaning appliance design featuring a cyclonic separating apparatus housed within a recessed rolling assembly with a curved surface, allowing the appliance to roll on its side and return to an upright position, with a visible portion of the apparatus for easy emptying and dust visibility, and a low center of gravity for stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the separating apparatus is totally housed within the rolling assembly, then the appliance structure is more compact, but the user must disassemble parts to access and empty the dust collection apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappliance structure compactnessVSAvoidaccess to separating apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The separating apparatus is nested within the rolling assembly, with the dust collection chamber positioned inside the spherical body. This nesting arrangement provides a compact structure while still allowing access through the opening in the rolling assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The dust collection chamber is made extractable from the rolling assembly through an opening. This allows the separating apparatus to be removed for emptying without requiring disassembly of the entire rolling assembly, resolving the contradiction between compactness and ease of access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cleaning appliance tips over, then it may be easier to maneuver in tight spaces, but it becomes stuck and requires disassembly to access the separating apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidaccess to separating apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rolling assembly is designed to automatically return the appliance to an upright position using gravity and the curved outer surface, eliminating the need for user intervention to recover from tipping. The separating apparatus remains accessible throughout this self-righting process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The rolling assembly has a curved outer surface that enables the appliance to roll and self-right. This curvature allows the appliance to tip over for maneuverability while automatically returning to upright position, preventing it from getting stuck.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If a portion of the separating apparatus is visible as part of the outer surface, then the user can easily remove and empty it, but the appliance structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to separating apparatusVSAvoidappliance structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The opening in the rolling assembly serves multiple functions: it allows the separating apparatus to be removed for emptying, provides visibility of dust collection status, and enables the self-righting mechanism to function. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the separating apparatus is housed within the rolling assembly, then the appliance has improved stability with low center of gravity, but the user cannot easily see collected dust

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappliance stabilityVSAvoidvisibility of collected dust

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The dust collection chamber includes a transparent or translucent portion that allows users to visually detect the amount of dust collected. This transparency provides information about dust accumulation while maintaining the stable, enclosed structure within the rolling assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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

Enables easy access and emptying of the dust collection apparatus without disassembly, improves maneuverability, and prevents the appliance from getting stuck when tipped, ensuring continued use and effortless return to an upright position.

Implementation Method 1

the cleaning appliance being arranged so that it is urged to return to an upright position if it is tipped onto its side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCyclonic separation: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentEP2863786B1A self-righting cleaning appliance

Publication Date: 2020.03.18 DYSON TECH LTD

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a self-righting cleaning appliance (1) of the cylinder type. The cleaning appliance (1) comprises a separating apparatus (4) for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, and a floor-engaging rolling assembly (6) having a recess (18) in which the separating apparatus (4) is received. At least a portion of the separating apparatus (4) is visible as a portion of the outer surface of the cleaning appliance (1) when the separating apparatus (4) is received in the recess (18), and the cleaning appliance (1) is arranged so that it is urged to return to an upright position if it is tipped onto its side.