Cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable nozzle-separation-type cleaners are bulky, making them difficult to store in limited spaces, such as vehicle cabins or cargo compartments, while nozzle-integrated-type cleaners have reduced usability due to the need to move the entire cleaner for dust collection.
Innovation Solution
A compact cleaner design with a tilted electric motor and lateral battery attachment, a hose connection system that allows for compact storage, and a protrusion to prevent exhaust port blocking, along with a dust bag housing mechanism that prevents cover closure without a dust bag, ensuring improved usability and storage efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cleaner is designed as a nozzle-separation-type with flexible hose, then usability is improved by allowing only the dust collection nozzle to be moved, but the cleaner becomes bulky and difficult to store
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaner is divided into separate components: a main body housing the motor and a detachable dust collection nozzle connected by a flexible hose. This segmentation allows the nozzle to be moved independently during operation while the main body remains stationary, improving usability. The hose can be coiled or folded during storage, reducing the overall space required.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible hose provides multi-directional connectivity between the main body and nozzle, allowing the nozzle to reach various positions in three-dimensional space without requiring the main body to move. This dimensional flexibility enables effective cleaning in tight spaces while maintaining a compact main body design for storage.
2Ease of manufacture
If the electric motor is disposed parallel to the base portion, then the motor housing is simplified, but the cleaner becomes less compact in the base portion direction
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor is mounted at an angled orientation relative to the base portion rather than parallel, creating an asymmetric configuration. This angular mounting allows the motor to fit within a more compact footprint in the base portion direction while still providing adequate space for the motor housing and internal components.
Solution Approach 2:
By orienting the motor at an angle to the base portion, the design utilizes three-dimensional space more efficiently. The motor extends in a diagonal direction rather than purely along the base length, allowing the overall cleaner to be more compact in the base portion direction while accommodating the motor's physical dimensions.
3Device complexity
If the exhaust port is placed directly on the installation surface, then the structure is simplified, but the exhaust port may be blocked reducing suction power
Solution Approach 1:
A protrusion is provided near the exhaust port that prevents the port from contacting or being blocked by the installation surface. This preliminary protective feature ensures that the exhaust port remains open and functional even when the cleaner is placed on various surfaces, maintaining suction power without requiring complex exhaust routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion acts as an intermediary element between the exhaust port and the installation surface. It creates a small air gap or clearance that prevents direct contact and potential blocking, while still allowing the exhaust port to face the installation surface for simplified structure. This mediator maintains both structural simplicity and reliable suction performance.
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 cleaner achieves enhanced compactness and usability by allowing the hose and motor to be stored more efficiently, maintaining suction power and exhaust efficiency, and providing user feedback on dust bag attachment status.
Implementation Method 1
a dust collection mechanism (20) powered by an electric motor (21) as a drive source
Implementation Method 2
a centrifugal fan (24) that rotates about a rotation axis (Rx) extending in an upward direction from the front to the rear
Data Source
AI summary
An electric motor serving as a drive source of a dust collection mechanism 20 is arranged such that a motor axis line of the electric motor is tilted with respect to a base portion of a main body case. Because of this configuration, a main body is made to be compact in the front-to-rear direction, in comparison to a configuration where the motor axis line of the electric motor is disposed parallel to the base portion.