Cleaner Head Drive Layout for Stable Lift Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning appliances with offset centers of gravity relative to their rotational axes become unstable when lifted, making handling difficult due to unwanted rotation.
Innovation Solution
The cleaner head design positions the drive assembly within the agitator chamber, ensuring the center of gravity lies on a vertical plane containing the rotational axis, eliminating the need for complex transmission arrangements and allowing for a compact, easily maintainable design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the centre of gravity of the cleaner head is offset relative to the rotational axis, then the cleaner head can be compactly designed, but the cleaner head rotates to one side when lifted, making handling difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The drive assembly is positioned within the agitator chamber to act as a counterweight, balancing the cleaner head's center of gravity onto the rotational axis. This prevents unwanted rotation when the cleaner head is lifted, improving handling ease while maintaining a compact design.
2Ease of operation
If a complex transmission arrangement is used to transmit torque to the agitator, then the drive assembly can be positioned for optimal balance, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive assembly is merged with the agitator by positioning it within the agitator chamber and directly coupling it to the agitator. This eliminates the need for complex external transmission arrangements while maintaining optimal balance for handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The agitator chamber serves as an intermediary structure that houses the drive assembly and facilitates direct torque transmission to the agitator. This simplifies the overall transmission system while maintaining proper positioning for balance.
3Device complexity
If the drive assembly is positioned outside the agitator chamber, then the structure can be simpler, but the cleaner head becomes less compact and the centre of gravity cannot be properly positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The drive assembly is nested within the agitator chamber, with the drive assembly positioned inside the chamber and coupled to the agitator. This nested arrangement achieves a compact cleaner head design while properly positioning the center of gravity on the rotational axis.
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
This configuration stabilizes the cleaner head when lifted, preventing unwanted rotation and enhancing handling ease while maintaining a compact and easily serviceable structure.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor positioned inside the agitator chamber and configured to rotate the agitator
Implementation Method 2
a bearing assembly positioned inside the agitator chamber and configured to support rotation of the agitator about the rotational axis
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A cleaning appliance (60) comprising a cleaner head (1) rotatably attached to a duct (61). The cleaner head (1) comprises a main body (2) having an agitator chamber (10), an axle (21) that extends into the chamber (10), a drive assembly (7) mounted on the axle (21), and an agitator (8) rotatably mounted within the agitator chamber (10) so as to surround the drive assembly (7). The drive assembly (7) is coupled to the agitator (8) such that torque generated by the drive assembly (7) is transmitted to the agitator (8). Furthermore, the drive assembly (7) is mounted along the axle (21) such that the centre of gravity of the cleaner head (1) is located on or near a vertical plane (63) containing the rotational axis (62) about which the cleaner head (1) rotates relative to the duct (61).