Surface cleaning apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hand vacuum cleaners lack efficient mechanisms for cleaning the air treatment components, such as momentum separators and cyclones, which can lead to reduced performance and increased maintenance complexity.
Innovation Solution
A hand vacuum cleaner design featuring a first stage momentum separator and a downstream cyclone separator that are concurrently openable, along with a wiper system to clean the air exit screen and porous substrates, allowing for simultaneous cleaning and maintenance of these components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional hand vacuum cleaners are used without concurrent openability, then the structure is simpler, but the maintenance complexity increases and cleaning efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the momentum separator and cyclone separator into a single housing structure that can be opened simultaneously through a single user action. The front wall acts as a common opening mechanism for both separators, merging the maintenance operation into one unified action rather than requiring separate operations for each separator.
Solution Approach 2:
The front wall serves multiple functions: it acts as the housing for the momentum separator, the opening mechanism for both separators, and the access point for maintenance operations. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed while improving ease of maintenance.
2Productivity
If momentum separator and cyclone are opened separately, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cleaning efficiency and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the opening operations of the momentum separator and cyclone separator into a single concurrent action. When the user opens the front wall, both separators are accessed simultaneously, eliminating the need for sequential opening operations and improving maintenance productivity.
3Productivity
If wiper system is added to clean air exit screen, then the cleaning efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper system is designed to automatically clean the air exit screen of the momentum separator during the opening operation. The wiper is positioned to contact the screen when the front wall is opened, allowing the system to clean itself without requiring separate manual cleaning actions or additional power sources.
4Loss of time
If concurrent openability is implemented, then the maintenance time is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is designed as a single integrated piece with a common front wall for both separators. This merging of structures actually simplifies manufacturing compared to having separate housings that would need to be aligned and assembled, as the concurrent openability is achieved through the unified housing design rather than complex linkage mechanisms.
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 design enhances the cleaning efficiency and reduces maintenance complexity by allowing for the simultaneous cleaning and emptying of the momentum separator and cyclone, improving the overall performance and usability of the hand vacuum cleaner.
Implementation Method 1
upstream momentum separator
Implementation Method 2
downstream cyclone separator
Implementation Method 3
cyclone separator
Data Source
AI summary
A hand vacuum cleaner has first stage momentum separator and a second cyclonic cleaning stage that are openable concurrently.