Foldable Vacuum Wand with Dual Locking for Storage and Operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The rigidity of traditional vacuum cleaner wands makes them difficult to use and store, especially when a vacuum unit is attached, as they do not easily accommodate varying configurations for efficient cleaning and storage.
Innovation Solution
A foldable wand design with pivotably connected segments and locking mechanisms allows the wand to be folded 180° for storage, enabling flexible use configurations while maintaining air passage functionality between the vacuum unit and surface cleaning head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid wand is used in traditional vacuum cleaners, then structural strength and stability are improved, but ease of operation and storage are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The wand is divided into multiple segments that can pivot relative to each other. Each segment maintains structural strength while the ability to pivot allows the wand to be folded into compact configurations for easy storage, directly resolving the contradiction between strength and storability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wand transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure with pivot joints. This allows the wand to adapt its configuration - remaining rigid during operation for strength, and folding dynamically for storage to improve ease of operation and storage.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid wand is used, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to different configurations is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the wand into segmented sections with pivot joints enables each segment to maintain structural stability while the connections between segments provide adaptability to assume multiple configurations, resolving the contradiction between stability and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated design allows the wand to be stable in its extended operational configuration while dynamically adaptable to folded storage configurations, achieving both structural stability and configuration versatility.
3Ease of operation
If the wand is made foldable to improve storage, then ease of storage is improved, but structural strength may be worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented design with pivot joints allows the wand to fold for easy storage while each segment maintains adequate structural strength. The segmentation enables the structure to achieve compactness without sacrificing the strength needed for operational use.
Data Source
AI summary
A wand includes a hinge configured to pivotally connect first and second wand segments in an extended configuration and a storage configuration. A first locking mechanism locks the wand in extended configuration. A second locking mechanism includes a rod, a sliding lever, a plunger, and a plunger cavity. The plunger is configured to be received in the plunger cavity to lock the wand in the storage configuration. When in the extended configuration, depressing a single actuator pivots the locking arm, causes the hook/pawl to be removed from the locking cavity, and unlocks the wand. When in the storage configuration, depressing the single actuator causes the rod to move in a first direction, causes the sliding rod to move a second direction, and urges the plunger out of the plunger cavity.