Attachment tool for a cleaning device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air blower attachments for cleaning are often bulky and inconvenient, making it difficult for users to effectively clean surfaces and crevices while avoiding hand fatigue and interference with the blower hose.
Innovation Solution
A handheld air blade tool with a housing assembly, blade assembly, and air conduit assembly that includes a swivel fitting for easy attachment to an air blower, allowing for adjustable air flow direction and interchangeable blades to enhance cleaning efficiency and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a scraping tool is combined with air blowing or spraying mechanism, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device size becomes large and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a handheld air blade tool and a separate air blower unit. The air blade tool contains only the essential components (housing, blade, air conduit) needed for the cleaning function, while the bulk of the air generation system remains in the separate blower. This segmentation allows the handheld tool to be compact and maneuverable while still delivering effective cleaning performance through the integrated air and blade components.
2Power
If air blower attachment is made bulky to provide sufficient air flow, then cleaning power is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to hand fatigue and control difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy air generation components are extracted from the handheld tool and placed in a separate stationary or portable blower unit. The handheld air blade tool retains only the lightweight components necessary for directing air and performing the cleaning action, significantly reducing weight and improving user comfort while maintaining adequate cleaning power through the dedicated air blower.
Solution Approach 2:
The air conduit is configured to extend from the housing in a direction that positions the air outlet away from the user's hand and body. This spatial arrangement allows the user to hold and operate the tool comfortably without the air stream or blower components interfering with their posture or causing hand fatigue, effectively solving the ergonomics problem through dimensional positioning.
3Ease of operation
If air conduit is made flexible to allow movement, then ease of operation is improved, but tool alignment is lost due to hose kinking
Solution Approach 1:
A swivel fitting is introduced as an intermediary component between the air conduit and the housing. This swivel fitting acts as a mediator that allows the flexible hose to move and adjust without transmitting kinking forces to the housing or blade assembly. The swivel mechanism maintains proper alignment of the air outlet with the blade while accommodating natural hose movement during operation.
4Device complexity
If blade is fixed in position, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability is reduced for different cleaning surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The blade mounting system is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing the blade to be adjusted to different positions and angles relative to the housing. This may include adjustable mounting brackets, sliding mechanisms, or interchangeable blade holders that enable the user to configure the blade orientation according to the specific cleaning task, whether vertical windows, horizontal surfaces, or angled crevices.
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 air blade tool provides a convenient and effective means for surface and crevice cleaning, reducing hand fatigue and preventing blowback of debris, while allowing for easy switching of blades and maintaining tool alignment despite hose kinking.
Implementation Method 1
air supplied from the air blower through the air conduit forms air flow inside the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An air blade tool operable as a surface and crevice cleaning tool is provided. The air blade tool includes a housing assembly, blade assembly, and air conduit assembly adapted for mounting to an air blower. The housing assembly includes a housing, a handle, a blade retainer seat, and openings for emitting air. The blade retainer seat may comprise one or more blade supports. The housing assemblies may include a fastener system for releasably securing interchangeable blades at predetermined positions along the length of the housing. The blade assembly includes at least a blade and in some embodiments a blade retainer. The air conduit assembly includes an air conduit and may include a swivel fitting for engagement with an air blower for enabling relative movement of the fitted blower to minimize hindrance of control of the air blade tool during use. The housing assembly may further include a damper within the housing and actuator to control the position of the damper and permit selection of the direction of air flow.