Flush-Mounted Vacuum Inlet With Foot-Activated Debris Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vacuum systems for cleaning non-carpeted surfaces are cumbersome, requiring manual dexterity and causing strain due to the need for bending, and existing flush-mounted vacuum fittings are not aesthetically pleasing or safe from accidental activation.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum assembly with a flush-mounted inlet that can be activated by slight pressure, typically by foot, featuring a spring-loaded door with dual tension for easy operation and an integrated waste collection system with multiple open ends for efficient debris collection, eliminating the need for protruding components and reducing the risk of accidental activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional vacuum cleaner with long handle and hose is used, then cleaning capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in maneuvering and assembling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the vacuum mechanism from a portable vacuum cleaner and integrates it into a fixed wall-mounted fitting. The vacuum generator, collection bag, and motor are permanently installed in a wall cavity, leaving only a simple inlet opening and hose connection at floor level. This eliminates the need to maneuver a long-handled device across rooms while maintaining vacuum cleaning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a fixed wall-mounted fitting as an intermediary between the user and the vacuum system. This fitting serves as a permanent interface point where the hose connects, eliminating the need to assemble and disassemble a portable vacuum cleaner. The fitting acts as a mediator that provides consistent access to vacuum functionality without the complexity of portable device handling.
2Shape
If a non-flush mounted vacuum fitting with protruding components is used, then ease of operation is improved, but aesthetic appearance and safety deteriorate due to visible and obtrusive components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention nests the vacuum mechanism within the wall cavity, similar to a nested doll structure. The vacuum generator, collection bag, and other components are housed inside the wall space, with only the essential inlet opening and hose connection protruding slightly. This nesting approach hides the complex components while maintaining functional access, achieving both aesthetic integration and operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a flexible hose connection that allows the inlet to be positioned flush with or slightly protruding from the floor surface. The flexible nature of the hose compensates for the reduced protrusion, maintaining ease of connection while achieving a sleek, low-profile appearance that integrates with the floor and wall surfaces.
3Shape
If a simple inlet opening is used, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of accidental activation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates a foot-activated door mechanism that requires a deliberate action to open. The door is normally closed and can only be opened by applying pressure with a foot, which is a preliminary action that prevents accidental activation. This deliberate opening action ensures that the vacuum system is activated only when intentionally used, not by incidental contact with the inlet.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot-activated door serves as an intermediary between the inlet opening and the vacuum activation. Instead of directly opening the inlet, the user must first activate the door mechanism with their foot. This intermediary step provides a reliable control mechanism that prevents accidental activation while maintaining a simple, flush-mounted appearance.
4Ease of operation
If a broom and conventional dustpan are used, then cleaning capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requirement for bending and manual dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the manual mechanical system of broom and dustpan with a vacuum-based system. Instead of using manual sweeping motions to collect debris, the vacuum generator creates negative pressure that automatically draws debris through the inlet and into the collection bag. This substitution eliminates the need for bending and manual manipulation while maintaining effective debris collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles to achieve debris collection. The vacuum generator creates a pressure differential that draws air and debris through the inlet opening and into the collection system. This pneumatic mechanism replaces the mechanical sweeping and dumping action of traditional broom and dustpan systems, providing easier operation without sacrificing cleaning capability.
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 solution provides a convenient, aesthetically pleasing, and safe vacuum system that reduces user strain and minimizes accidental activation, allowing for efficient debris collection without the need for complex fittings or manual dexterity, suitable for high-traffic areas and various household installations.
Implementation Method 1
a door in a dustpan assembly which is spring loaded to provide dual tension
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum means for generating a flow of air from said inlet to said collection member
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum assembly comprising: (a) an inlet having an open and closed position; (b) a waste collection member (c) a vacuum means for generating a flow of air from said inlet to said collection member; and (d) a switch adapted to interact with the inlet, wherein the inlet when open activates the switch to receive debris through the inlet. The assembly is flush mounted to an existing fitting.