Cleaning system comprising a brush vacuum cleaner and a docking station with a tilting surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaners with docking stations have a high height footprint when stored due to the suction head and suction duct being aligned vertically, making it difficult to insert the waste collection container without manual manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning system with a docking station featuring a tilting surface that pivots the suction head relative to the suction duct, allowing for easy placement and reducing the relative angle between them, thus minimizing the system's height when stored.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the suction head and suction duct are aligned vertically when stored, then the vacuum cleaner can be easily positioned, but the height footprint of the cleaning system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction duct is made dynamically adjustable relative to the suction head through a pivot connection, allowing it to change its angle from a vertical alignment during positioning to a tilted configuration during storage. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to optimize for ease of operation during placement and minimize height footprint during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The angle between the suction duct and suction head is changed as a key parameter. During positioning, the angle is approximately 180 degrees (vertical alignment), while during storage, the angle is reduced to between 90 and 120 degrees. This parameter change allows the system to achieve both easy positioning and compact storage height.
2Device complexity
If the suction head and suction duct remain vertically aligned during placement, then the structure is simple, but manual manipulation is required to insert the waste collection container
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot connection between the suction duct and suction head provides dynamic adjustability, allowing the suction duct to tilt automatically or be easily adjusted during the placement process. This dynamic feature enables the waste collection container to be inserted without manual manipulation while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
3Length of stationary object
If the suction duct is made adjustable to reduce height footprint, then storage compactness improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction duct system is segmented into two independently adjustable parts: the suction duct itself and the suction head. This segmentation allows the suction duct to be tilted relative to the suction head, enabling height reduction while keeping each component relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A pivot connection is introduced between the suction duct and suction head, providing a simple mechanical means of adjustment. This dynamic joint allows the suction duct to tilt to reduce storage height while maintaining structural simplicity through a straightforward hinge mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The cleaning system comprises a stick vacuum cleaner (2) comprising a main body (4) equipped with a suction nozzle (5), a suction head (7), a suction duct (8) mechanically and fluidically connecting the suction nozzle (5) to the suction head (7), and an articulation device (9) configured to allow tilting of the suction duct (8) relative to the suction head (7) about a transverse pivot axis (B); and a docking station (3) comprising a receiving location (22) configured to receive and support the suction head (7) and provided with a tilting surface (26) configured to tilt the suction head (7) forward and about the transverse pivot axis (B) when placing the suction head (7) in the receiving location (22).