Flexible light weight vacuum cleaner head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaner heads face challenges with bulkiness, maneuverability, and reduced suction power due to larger sizes, which hinder effective cleaning and storage convenience.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, flexible vacuum cleaner head with an A-shaped structure, comprising flexible tubular appendages and a central airflow conduit connected by a cross member, allowing for efficient airflow and particle collection while maintaining flexibility and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the head size is increased to reduce the number of cleaning passes, then cleaning productivity is improved, but the weight and bulk increase making maneuvering difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum head is divided into multiple functional segments including a flexible tubular appendage with internal channels, a rigid body portion with particle collection facility, and a handle assembly. This segmentation allows the large cleaning surface area to be distributed across flexible tubular structures that can be collapsed when not in use, reducing storage volume and apparent bulk while maintaining effective cleaning width during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum head incorporates flexible tubular appendages that can dynamically change shape and volume. These appendages can be collapsed or compressed for storage and transport, yet expand to provide a large effective cleaning surface area during operation, thus achieving high productivity without permanent increase in weight or storage bulk.
2Productivity
If the head size is increased to reduce the number of cleaning passes, then cleaning productivity is improved, but maneuverability around obstacles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible tubular appendage allows the vacuum head to dynamically adapt its shape during operation. The appendage can bend and flex to navigate around obstacles such as chair legs and table legs, providing large cleaning coverage when needed while maintaining ease of maneuverability in tight spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum head employs a flexible tubular appendage as a key structural element that can bend and conform to various shapes. This flexible structure allows the head to wrap around obstacles and navigate complex geometries while maintaining a large effective cleaning surface area, thus improving both productivity and maneuverability.
3Productivity
If the head size is increased to reduce the number of cleaning passes, then cleaning productivity is improved, but suction power is reduced due to distribution over larger area
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow path is segmented into multiple independent channels within the flexible tubular appendage and rigid body portion. Each channel maintains focused air flow with adequate velocity to carry particles, while the segmented structure allows the total cleaning width to be increased without diluting suction power across a single large opening.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing suction power by enlarging a single flat surface, the invention transitions to a three-dimensional tubular structure with internal channels. This dimensional change allows air flow to be distributed through multiple pathways, maintaining high velocity and suction effectiveness across a larger overall cleaning width.
4Productivity
If the head size is increased to reduce the number of cleaning passes, then cleaning productivity is improved, but storage convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible tubular appendage can be collapsed or compressed into a compact configuration for storage, significantly reducing the volume occupied by the vacuum head when not in use. During operation, the appendage expands to provide a large effective cleaning surface area, thus achieving high productivity without compromising storage convenience.
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 design enhances cleaning efficiency by reducing the number of passes required and improves maneuverability around obstacles, maintaining suction power while being convenient for storage and use on various surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
Each tubular appendage includes an internal channel connected to a surface channel via a plurality of ingress vents. A cross member structurally connects the first and second flexible tubular appendages such that a cross-connecting airflow channel provides airflow from the first and second tubular appendages to the central airflow conduit.
Data Source
AI summary
A head (200) for a vacuum cleaning device includes a central airflow conduit (255), first and second flexible tubular appendage (211, 212), and a cross member (240). Each tubular appendage includes an internal channel (220) connected to a surface channel (222) via a plurality of ingress vents (221). A cross member (240) structurally connects the first and second flexible tubular appendages such that a cross-connecting airflow channel provides airflow from the first and second tubular appendages to the central airflow conduit. The first and second flexible appendage are attached at an apex (215) to form an A-shaped structure with the cross member.