Cyclone Vacuum Head Layout for Low-Profile Under-Furniture Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
All-in-the-head surface cleaning apparatuses have not been widely accepted due to limitations in height, which restricts their ability to clean under furniture, and often have limited filtration capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A compact all-in-the-head surface cleaning apparatus with cyclonic air treatment technology, allowing the entire head to extend under furniture while maintaining effective air treatment and a large dirt storage capacity, featuring a cyclone bin assembly that can be removably mounted for easy emptying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the surface cleaning head is designed with all-in-the-head configuration (suction motor and air treatment members positioned in the head), then the design compactness and maneuverability are improved, but the height of the head increases limiting its ability to clean under furniture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the cyclone air treatment members inside the housing of the suction motor, and positioning the dirt collection chamber within the cyclone assembly. This nested arrangement allows all components to be compactly integrated in the head without increasing overall height, enabling the head to fit under furniture while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions components from a vertical stacking arrangement to a horizontal and radial arrangement. The cyclone members are positioned radially within the motor housing, and the dirt collection chamber is arranged laterally, converting vertical space requirements into horizontal space utilization, thereby reducing head height.
2Length of stationary object
If the surface cleaning head is reduced in height to clean under furniture, then the ability to access under furniture is improved, but the air treatment and filtration capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclone air treatment members are nested within the suction motor housing, maximizing the use of internal space. This allows multiple cyclone members to be accommodated in a compact volume, providing effective air treatment capability while maintaining a low head profile suitable for cleaning under furniture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the air treatment function and dirt collection function into a single integrated cyclone assembly. The cyclone members perform both air separation and dirt collection simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate components and maintaining comprehensive air treatment capability in a compact configuration.
3Productivity
If the dirt collection chamber size is increased to enable cleaning entire residences without frequent emptying, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity and size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dirt collection chamber is nested within the cyclone assembly structure, utilizing the space already allocated for air treatment. This integrated nesting allows a relatively large dirt storage capacity to be achieved without proportionally increasing the overall device size or complexity, as the chamber shares structural space with the cyclone members.
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 effective cleaning under furniture with a low-profile design and enhanced filtration, allowing for extended cleaning sessions without frequent emptying of the dirt collection chamber.
Implementation Method 1
the surface cleaning head may employ cyclonic air treatment technology and achieve a degree of air treatment comparable to that of leading upright cyclonic vacuum cleaners
Data Source
AI summary
An all in the head surface cleaning apparatus may include a surface cleaning head having an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. The surface cleaning head may have a brush motor drivingly connected to a moveable brushing member. The brush motor may have a brush motor axis. The surface cleaning head may have a cyclone having a cyclone chamber and a longitudinal cyclone axis. The surface cleaning head may have a suction motor having a first end, a second end and a suction motor axis extending between the first and second ends. The cyclone and brush motor axes may be generally parallel and the brush motor may have a lateral inner end that may be opposed to and at least partially faces a lateral inner end of the cyclone.