Hand-held surface cleaning device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vacuum cleaners occupy significant space, making them inconvenient to store and retrieve for small cleaning tasks, often leading to less frequent use of areas that require periodic cleaning due to the impracticality of hauling them from storage locations.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held surface cleaning device with a compact form-factor, including a body with a motor, power source, and dust cup, designed for easy storage and access, allowing users to perform small cleaning tasks without the bulk of a full-size vacuum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a full-size vacuum cleaner is used, then cleaning power and debris capacity are improved, but storage space requirements and ease of access deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum system is divided into two distinct components: a handheld surface cleaning device for accessible areas and a full-size vacuum for extensive cleaning tasks. This segmentation allows each device to be optimized for its specific use case, with the handheld unit providing sufficient cleaning power for small areas while being easy to store and access.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld surface cleaning device transitions the vacuum system from a single large-scale solution to a compact, portable alternative that operates in a different size dimension. This dimensional change enables storage in convenient locations like kitchen cabinets or closets while maintaining effective cleaning capability for appropriate applications.
2Area of stationary object
If a full-size vacuum cleaner is stored in a closet or garage, then storage space is utilized, but cleaning frequency of distant locations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The handheld surface cleaning device provides localized cleaning capability that can be stored in or near the areas it serves (kitchen, bathroom, bedroom). This local quality ensures the device is always accessible when needed, eliminating the need to transport equipment from distant storage locations and thereby increasing cleaning frequency.
3Ease of operation
If a handheld surface cleaning device is used, then ease of storage and access are improved, but cleaning power and debris capacity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic adaptability by offering two different vacuum solutions for different cleaning scenarios. The handheld device handles routine, small-area cleaning with superior ease of storage and access, while the full-size vacuum handles extensive cleaning tasks requiring maximum power and capacity. This dynamic selection optimizes both convenience and performance based on specific needs.
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
Enables convenient storage and easy access for small cleaning tasks, promoting more frequent cleaning of areas by eliminating the need to retrieve a full-size vacuum, thus improving cleaning frequency and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a motor to generate a vacuum within a cleaning head
Implementation Method 2
a cyclone assembly in fluid communication with the motor to receive the dirty air and to separate debris from the dirty air
Implementation Method 3
a primary HEPA filter
Data Source
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AI summary
In general, the present disclosure is directed to a hand-held surface cleaning device that includes a relatively compact form-factor to allow users to store the same in a nearby location (e.g., in a drawer, in an associated charging dock, on a table top) for easy access to perform relatively small cleaning tasks that would otherwise require retrieving a full-size vacuum from storage. A hand-held surface cleaning device consistent with aspects of the present disclosure includes a body (or body portion) with a motor, power source and dust cup disposed therein. The body portion also functions as a handgrip to allow the hand-held surface cleaning device to be operated by one hand, for example.