Cleaner Head Locking Arrangement to Prevent Droop When Lifted

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum cleaner heads with off-centre drive assemblies tend to rotate or 'droop' when lifted, causing instability and increased impact loads when trying to orient them back on the floor, leading to user discomfort and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A locking arrangement that prevents rotation of the cleaner head relative to the neck when lifted, using a ratchet formation and actuator to lock the body in place, with an override mechanism to allow rotation under predetermined torque, preventing angular movement and ensuring ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the motor is mounted off-centre to drive the brush bar, then the brush bar can be driven effectively, but the cleaner head rotates or droops when lifted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrush bar drive capabilityVSAvoidcleaner head stability when lifted

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The locking arrangement acts as a counterbalancing mechanism that counteracts the out-of-balance torque generated by the off-centre motor. When the cleaner head is lifted, the locking arrangement engages to prevent rotation, effectively counteracting the destabilizing torque from the offset motor weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking arrangement transitions between locked and unlocked states based on the cleaner head's position (lifted vs. on surface). This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain stability when lifted while permitting necessary movement during operation on the cleaning surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the locking arrangement prevents rotation when lifted, then droop is eliminated, but the user cannot rotate the head when needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaner head stability when liftedVSAvoidability to orient cleaner head

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking arrangement dynamically adapts its state based on operational conditions. It locks when the cleaner head is lifted to prevent droop, and unlocks when the cleaner head is on the cleaning surface to allow free rotation and positioning. This conditional behavior resolves the contradiction between stability and operability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 locking arrangement prevents 'droop' and high impact loads, enhancing user experience and reducing the risk of damage by maintaining stability during lifting and placement, while allowing free rotation on the cleaning surface.

Implementation Method 1

the neck includes a ratchet formation and the locking arrangement includes a pawl that is movable so as to engage and disengage the ratchet formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRatchet mechanism: Ratchet

Implementation Method 2

the arm may be biased by means on a biasing member such as a spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9554680B2Cleaner head for a cleaning appliance

Publication Date: 2017.01.31 DYSON TECH LTD

AI summary

A cleaner head comprising a main body rotatably coupled to a neck, and a locking arrangement operable to permit rotation of the main body relative to the neck when the cleaner head is positioned on a surface and to prevent rotation of the body relative to the next when the cleaner head is lifted off a surface. The locking arrangement therefore stops the cleaner head from rotating undesirably when the cleaner head is lifted away from a cleaning surface.