Surface cleaning apparatus, cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cyclonic air treatment systems for surface cleaning apparatuses require users to manually insert their hands to clean the air outlet members, which can be inconvenient and expose them to dirt and debris.
Innovation Solution
A surface cleaning apparatus with a moveable member, such as a porous screen or cleaning member, positioned in the air treatment chamber, connected by a handle and driving linkage that allows longitudinal translation through the chamber, enabling the cleaning of air outlet members without hand insertion and automatic opening of the air treatment member when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually insert their hands to clean the air outlet members, then the cleaning can be performed directly, but user safety is compromised and convenience is reduced due to exposure to dirt and debris
Solution Approach 1:
A cleaning tool is introduced as an intermediary device between the user and the air outlet member. The cleaning tool can be inserted through the dirty air inlet to reach the air outlet member for cleaning, while the user remains outside the air treatment chamber, avoiding direct exposure to dirt and debris in the chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is segmented into a separate movable cleaning member that can be independently operated. The cleaning member is positioned between the dirty air inlet and the air outlet member, allowing it to perform cleaning operations without requiring the user to insert their hand into the chamber.
2Reliability
If the air treatment chamber remains closed during operation, then safety is improved, but access for cleaning and debris removal becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The air treatment chamber is designed with a movable wall or door that can dynamically transition between closed and open states. During normal operation, the chamber remains closed for safety. When cleaning is required, the movable wall opens to allow insertion of the cleaning tool or removal of debris, then closes again to restore safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to automatically detect when cleaning is needed and prepares the chamber for access in advance. The movable wall can be opened automatically or with a simple user action, allowing quick access for cleaning without requiring complex manual operations, then automatically closes to restore the safe closed state.
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner having a cyclone chamber comprising a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet, a cyclone axis of rotation, an axially extending cyclone chamber sidewall extending between first and second axially opposed ends. The cyclone chamber sidewall has a first sidewall portion that is axially moveably mounted with respect to a second sidewall portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall between a closed position in which the cyclone chamber is closed and an open position in which the cyclone chamber is opened.