Cyclone Vacuum Cleaner Container Release for One-Handed Emptying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand-held cyclone vacuum cleaners complicate the removal and operation of the suction material container due to ergonomic issues related to size and weight, making it difficult for users to handle and empty efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held cyclone vacuum cleaner design featuring a rotatable operating element that allows for intuitive handling, enabling the suction material container to be easily detached and emptied using a single operating element, with a locking mechanism that ensures secure connection and separation, and a spring-activated flap for automated opening, facilitating access and service.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the collection container is made large enough to be useful, then the capacity to collect material is improved, but the ease of handling and removal deteriorates due to size and weight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacity to collect materialVSAvoidease of handling and removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum cleaner is divided into separable components: the collection container can be detached from the device body through the control element mechanism. This segmentation allows the container to be large enough for useful capacity while being easily removable despite its size and weight, resolving the contradiction between quantity of substance collected and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If a bayonet fitting connection is used between the device body and collection container, then the connection strength is improved, but the ease of removal deteriorates due to requiring rotation and two-handed operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidease of removal
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control element provides a dynamic connection mechanism that transitions between locked and unlocked states. The control element can be rotated to release the locking engagement between the device body and collection container, allowing easy one-handed removal while maintaining strong connection during operation. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction between connection strength and ease of removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the control element is positioned at the end of the collection container opposite the device body, then the ease of operation is improved for intuitive handling, but the device complexity increases due to integration requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintuitive handlingVSAvoidintegration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control element positioned at the end of the collection container serves multiple functions: it is used to detach the container from the device body, to open the container for emptying, and potentially for other operational controls. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity despite the added integration requirement, as one control element performs multiple tasks that would otherwise require separate mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design simplifies the handling and emptying of the suction material container, providing ergonomic benefits and allowing for easy access to all components for maintenance, while ensuring dust and dirt do not enter the fan intake area.

Implementation Method 1

The incoming airflow creates vortices and turbulence, causing centrifugal force to push and separate the collected material, such as dust particles, in a predetermined direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

The incoming airflow creates vortices and turbulence, causing centrifugal force to push and separate the collected material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3692879B1Hand-guided cyclone vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2023.05.24 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP3692879B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3692879B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3692879B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a handheld cyclone vacuum cleaner comprising a device body (2) which has a drive unit designed to generate a suction airflow, a collection container (1) for receiving suctioned material which is connected to the device body (2), and an operating element (3) which is arranged at one end of the collection container (1) opposite the end of the collection container (1) at which the device body (2) is arranged, wherein the operating element (3) is rotatable from a first position to a second position and vice versa, wherein the device body (2) is inseparably connected to the collection container (1) in the first position and the device body (2) is detachably connected to the collection container (1) in the second position.