Vacuum cleaner having two expanded polypropylene shells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum cleaners face challenges in reducing weight while maintaining solidity, absorbing shocks from careless handling, and achieving high recyclability, with current materials leading to increased costs and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
The use of expanded polypropylene (EPP) for the lower and upper bodies of the vacuum cleaner, combined with non-expanded polypropylene (PP) connecting elements and rigid parts, allows for a lightweight, shock-absorbing, and easily recyclable design, utilizing compression and deformation for assembly and sealing without additional seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the shell and body are thinned to reduce weight, then the weight of the vacuum cleaner decreases, but the solidity and mechanical strength deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses expanded polypropylene (EPP) as a composite material that combines lightness with high mechanical strength and shock absorption properties. EPP is a foamed plastic material that provides both weight reduction and structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between thinning the shell for weight reduction and maintaining solidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the polypropylene material by using it in an expanded (foamed) state rather than solid form. This parameter change (from solid to foamed structure) reduces density and weight while maintaining or improving mechanical properties through the cellular structure of the expanded material.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If rubber strips are added to absorb shocks, then shock absorption improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional solid plastic or rubber to expanded polypropylene (EPP). This parameter change provides inherent shock absorption capabilities within the material structure itself, eliminating the need for additional rubber strips and reducing manufacturing cost while improving shock resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The expanded polypropylene material provides self-service shock absorption through its cellular structure that compresses and rebounds under impact. The material absorbs shocks inherently without requiring additional components like rubber strips, making the system self-sufficient and cost-effective.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different plastic materials are used in the vacuum cleaner body, then specific functions (temperature resistance, rigidity, flexibility) are optimized, but recyclability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by using a single type of plastic material (polypropylene) throughout the vacuum cleaner body, including both the shell and internal components. This uniform material composition enables complete recyclability while the expanded form provides the necessary functional properties such as rigidity, flexibility, and temperature resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses expanded polypropylene as a composite material that provides multiple functional properties (temperature resistance up to 110°C, rigidity, flexibility, shock absorption) within a single material system, eliminating the need for multiple different plastics and enabling complete recyclability.
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
This approach results in a vacuum cleaner that is significantly lighter, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly, with improved shock absorption and assembly efficiency, while maintaining mechanical strength and recyclability, thus addressing the issues of weight, solidity, and recyclability.
Implementation Method 1
EPP has many qualities: temperature resistance up to 110°C, excellent stability, lightness, impact resistance
Implementation Method 2
at least one rigid connecting element is mechanically linked to at least one upper part and one lower part by crossing the upper body and the lower body in order to achieve compression support of the upper and lower bodies
Implementation Method 3
EPP has many qualities: temperature resistance up to 110°C, excellent stability
Implementation Method 4
by compressing the upper body on the lower body by rigid parts resting under the lower body, or integrated into the lower body and on the upper body
Implementation Method 5
by the relatively large deformation of the PPE which, in particular, does not alter its mechanical properties
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a vacuum cleaner (100) comprising a lower body (200) and an upper body (400) enclosing in particular a motor fan unit and a waste separating device. The invention is characterized in that: the lower body (200) and the upper body (400) are made of expanded polypropylene, at least one so-called upper rigid part (190) is supported on the upper body (400), or is secured to the upper body, at least one so-called lower rigid part (152, 162) is supported on the lower body (200), or is secured to the lower body, at least one rigid linking element (150, 160, 194, 520) is mechanically linked to at least one upper part (190) and to one lower part (152, 162) passing through the upper body (400) and the lower body (200) so as to maintain by compression the upper (400) and lower (200) bodies.