Foldable Vacuum Wand with Pivotable Segments for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rigidity of vacuum cleaner wands makes them difficult to use and store, especially when a vacuum unit is attached, as they do not easily accommodate storage configurations.
Innovation Solution
A foldable wand design with pivotably connected segments and a flexible air passage allows the wand to be folded 180° for storage, reducing strain on users during use and facilitating easier handling and storage by positioning the vacuum unit proximate the cleaning head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid wand is used in vacuum cleaner, then structural strength and stability are improved, but ease of operation and storage are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The wand is divided into multiple rigid segments that can be articulated relative to each other. Each segment maintains structural strength while the combination of segments provides flexibility through joints, allowing the wand to be configured in different angles and positions for easier operation and storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The wand incorporates articulated joints that allow dynamic adjustment of the wand's configuration. The joints enable the wand to transition between fixed rigid positions, providing both structural stability when needed and operational flexibility when required, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and ease of operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid wand with vacuum unit is used, then structural stability is improved, but storage convenience is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum cleaner is segmented into modular components including the vacuum unit, wand segments, and handle. This segmentation allows each component to maintain its structural integrity while enabling the entire system to be folded into a compact storage configuration by articulating the segments relative to each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated segments allow the wand and vacuum unit to be folded into a nested or compact arrangement during storage. The segments can be positioned within or adjacent to each other, creating a space-efficient storage configuration while maintaining structural stability when deployed.
3Ease of operation
If a foldable wand is used, then ease of storage is improved, but structural strength is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable wand is constructed from multiple rigid segments connected by joints. Each segment maintains full structural strength independently, and the joints are designed to securely transmit forces between segments, ensuring that the overall structure remains strong even when foldable for storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The wand features articulated joints that provide dynamic flexibility for folding and storage while maintaining rigid structural connections during operation. The joints are engineered to lock into stable positions, ensuring structural strength is preserved when the wand is in use, while still allowing easy folding for storage when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
Vacuum cleaning devices include foldable wands to provide a storage configuration and/or facilitate use. A vacuum cleaning device includes a wand having a first end coupled to a vacuum unit and a second end coupled to a vacuum head or surface cleaning head. The wand defines an air passage allowing air to pass from the surface cleaning head to the vacuum unit and includes a flexible air passage along at least a portion of the wand. The wand also includes a plurality of segments pivotably connected together such that the wand is foldable about 180° in a forward direction until the vacuum unit is positioned proximate a top of the surface cleaning head, thereby providing a storage configuration.