Domed Wheel Yoke Layout for Vacuum Cleaner Maneuverability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Upright vacuum cleaners face challenges in maneuverability through narrow spaces due to the provision of both ducting and a yoke extending around the periphery of the rolling assembly, which restricts their ability to navigate effectively between items of furniture.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a support assembly with domed-shaped wheels and a yoke positioned between the rims of the wheels, creating a substantially spherical volume that allows structural features and fluid flow paths to pass through without the need for bearing arrangements, enhancing maneuverability and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ducting and a yoke extending around the periphery of the rolling assembly are provided, then structural integrity and air flow paths are maintained, but maneuverability through narrow spaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ducting is extracted from the traditional peripheral location and repositioned to pass through the interior space defined by the domed wheels and yoke. This removes the obstruction caused by external ducting, allowing the vacuum cleaner to navigate narrow spaces between furniture while maintaining structural integrity and proper air flow paths through the separating apparatus.
2Reliability
If a bearing arrangement is provided between the air duct and the rolling assembly, then air flow is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing arrangement is completely removed from the design. Instead of providing a complex bearing mechanism between the air duct and rolling assembly, the duct is routed to pass through the interior space, eliminating the need for any bearing arrangement while maintaining proper air flow from the cleaner head through the separating apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The air duct routing transitions from a peripheral external path to an internal path through the space defined by the domed wheels and yoke. This dimensional repositioning allows the duct to pass through the rolling assembly structure without requiring mechanical bearings, simplifying the overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An upright surface treating appliance includes a main body having a user operable handle, and a support assembly for allowing the appliance to be rolled along a surface using the handle. The support assembly includes a yoke pivotably connected to the main body, and a pair of domed-shaped wheels rotatably connected to the yoke. A surface treating head is connected to the yoke. The yoke is shaped so that a section of the yoke is located between the rims of the wheels. To afford a compact appearance to the appliance, the outer surfaces of the wheels and the section of the yoke together at least partially delimit a substantially spherical volume.