Debris containers for a cleaning apparatus

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surface cleaning devices often rely on suction to collect debris, which can be inefficient and may not effectively separate liquid and solid debris, complicating the emptying process.

Innovation Solution

A surface cleaning device that uses agitators to collect debris without suction, featuring a debris container with separate chambers for solid and fluid debris, and a squeegee to facilitate easy separation and emptying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If suction is used to collect debris, then debris collection is achieved, but separation of liquid and solid debris is ineffective and emptying process becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris collection effectivenessVSAvoidemptying process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The debris container is divided into separate compartments: a first compartment for collecting solid debris and a second compartment for collecting liquid debris. This segmentation allows for effective separation of different types of debris during collection, enabling independent emptying of each compartment and simplifying the overall emptying process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If suction is used to collect debris, then debris collection is achieved, but liquid and solid debris remain mixed complicating disposal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris collection effectivenessVSAvoiddebris separation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The debris container is divided into separate compartments: a first compartment for collecting solid debris and a second compartment for collecting liquid debris. This segmentation allows for effective separation of different types of debris during collection, enabling independent emptying of each compartment and simplifying the overall emptying process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a single debris container is used, then device structure is simple, but separate disposal of liquids and solids is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer structure simplicityVSAvoidseparate debris disposal capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The debris container is divided into separate compartments: a first compartment for collecting solid debris and a second compartment for collecting liquid debris. This segmentation allows for effective separation of different types of debris during collection, enabling independent emptying of each compartment and simplifying the overall emptying process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 device efficiently collects and separates solid and fluid debris, simplifying the emptying process and improving user experience by allowing for separate disposal of liquids and solids.

Implementation Method 1

a squeegee to facilitate easy separation and emptying

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

uses agitators to collect debris without suction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical agitation: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS20260033692A1Debris containers for a cleaning apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a debris container for a surface cleaning device, where the surface cleaning device includes an upright section, a surface cleaning head, a fluid distributor configured to distribute a cleaning fluid, and an agitator configured to absorb at least a portion of the distributed cleaning fluid and to agitate debris on a surface to be cleaned, the debris container comprising a solid debris chamber configured to collect at least a portion of the debris agitated from the surface to be cleaned; and a fluid debris chamber configured to collect at least a portion of fluid removed from the agitator.