Removable Cyclone Bin Locking for One-Handed Vacuum Emptying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaning apparatuses, such as vacuum cleaners, face challenges in efficiently and conveniently removing and emptying the cyclone bin assembly, which can be cumbersome and prone to side impacts due to its design.
Innovation Solution
A cyclone bin assembly is removably mounted within a cavity of the surface cleaning apparatus, with a locking mechanism that allows one-handed removal and is protected by side walls that cover the transverse faces of the cyclone bin assembly, enabling easy access and protection during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cyclone bin assembly is made removable for easy emptying, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential side impacts and improper mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclone bin assembly is segmented from the main vacuum body, allowing it to be removed independently for emptying while the locking mechanism ensures stable mounting during operation. The segmentation enables separate functionality for both stability and ease of removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions between locked and unlocked states dynamically. During normal operation, the locking members engage to provide stable mounting. When the release member is actuated, the locking members disengage to allow easy removal, creating a dynamic system that adapts to different operational needs.
2Manufacturing precision
If the locking mechanism is positioned away from the handle for structural reasons, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates requiring two hands
Solution Approach 1:
The release member is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the handle, specifically adjacent to it along the longitudinal axis of the cyclone bin assembly. This dimensional arrangement allows the release member to be accessible from the same side as the handle, enabling one-handed operation while maintaining proper structural alignment of the locking mechanism.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cyclone bin assembly is exposed without side wall protection, then ease of manufacture is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to side impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The protective side walls are merged with the main body of the vacuum cleaner, forming an integrated structure that encloses the cyclone bin assembly. This merging provides protection against side impacts while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, as the side walls are part of the existing vacuum housing rather than separate components.
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
This configuration facilitates easy and convenient removal of the cyclone bin assembly with one hand, while the side walls provide protection from impacts, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Air is drawn into the vacuum cleaners through a dirty air inlet and conveyed to a cyclone inlet. The rotation of the air in the cyclone results in some of the particulate matter in the airflow stream being disentrained from the airflow stream.
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. The surface cleaning apparatus also comprises a main body comprising a front end, a rear end, first and second opposed sidewalls. A cavity having an open upper end may be positioned between the first and second opposed side walls. A suction motor may be provided in the air flow path. A cyclone bin assembly may be provided in the air flow path. The cyclone bin assembly may have opposed end walls and may be removably mounted in the cavity. The cyclone bin assembly may include a locking member lockingly secures the cyclone bin assembly to the surface cleaning apparatus. The locking member may engage at least one of the side walls.