Cleaning tool and vacuum cleaner

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaners face difficulties in efficiently cleaning both wide and narrow spaces, as they require frequent attachment and detachment of nozzles, making it cumbersome to switch between different cleaning areas.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning tool with a wand connected to a body via a joint that allows adjustable angles and a locking mechanism to maintain the angle at 90° or less, enabling efficient cleaning of both wide and narrow spaces without the need for frequent nozzle changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the floor nozzle is detachably mounted to clean narrow spaces, then narrow space cleaning capability is improved, but the frequency of attachment and detachment increases, reducing cleaning efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenarrow space cleaning capabilityVSAvoidcleaning efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning tool body is designed to perform multiple functions by changing its orientation mode. The same body can clean both narrow spaces (L-shape mode with wand angled) and wide spaces (I-shape mode with wand straight), eliminating the need for separate nozzles and attachment/detachment operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the joint allows angle adjustment to reach narrow spaces, then access to narrow areas is improved, but stability of the cleaning tool is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to narrow areasVSAvoidcleaning tool stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The joint connecting the wand to the body is designed to be rotatable, allowing dynamic adjustment of the wand angle. This enables the operator to change between L-shape mode (for narrow spaces) and I-shape mode (for wide spaces) as needed, providing adaptability while maintaining control stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The joint acts as an intermediary mechanism between the fixed body and the movable wand. It transmits suction force while allowing angular adjustment, mediating between the need for angle adjustment (to reach narrow spaces) and the need for stability (to maintain suction effectiveness)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11045055B2Cleaning tool and vacuum cleaner

Publication Date: 2021.06.29 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A body included in a cleaning tool has a proximal end, a distal end, and a bottom surface that faces a surface to be cleaned when in use. A length from the proximal end to the distal end is longer than a width perpendicular to a longitudinal direction from the proximal end toward the distal end. A joint that connects a suction pipe being a wand to the body is positioned closer to the proximal end than to the distal end. The joint enables a first angle being an angle of a longitudinal axis of the wand with respect to the longitudinal direction of the body to be changed. The cleaning tool includes a locking mechanism that, when the first angle is equal to a holding angle of 90° or less, prevents the first angle from changing from the holding angle to a different angle.