Surface cleaning apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand vacuum cleaners face challenges in design efficiency, ergonomics, and compactness, particularly in accommodating removable air treatment members and post-motor filters, which hinder ease of use and storage.
Innovation Solution
The hand vacuum cleaner incorporates a removable air treatment member with an accessory power connector, a transversely extending bleed valve, a rear-facing control panel, and a compact design with motor integration into the handle, along with a uniflow cyclone and balanced component alignment, enhancing maneuverability and accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the air treatment member is made removable to improve accessibility and ease of use, then the device complexity increases due to additional connectors and mounting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum cleaner is divided into separable modules: a removable air treatment member (dust cup) and a main body. This segmentation allows the air treatment member to be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance while keeping the main body intact, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory power connector is extracted from the main body and relocated to the removable air treatment member. This extraction allows the connector to move with the dust cup, enabling easy access to accessories without requiring disassembly of the main body, thus improving ease of operation while managing complexity through strategic placement.
2Ease of operation
If the accessory power connector is relocated to the removable air treatment member to improve ergonomics, then the electrical connection reliability may worsen due to repeated connection and disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory power connector is made dynamic by relocating it to the removable air treatment member. This allows the connector to move with the dust cup during removal and reattachment, providing ergonomic flexibility while maintaining reliable electrical connections through proper connector design that accommodates repeated engagement.
3Volume of moving object
If the motor is integrated into the handle to reduce overall size, then the weight distribution and balance may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is merged with the handle by integrating it into the handle assembly. This consolidation reduces the overall device size and creates a compact, integrated unit while the handle design naturally positions the motor to maintain proper weight distribution and balance for ergonomic operation.
4Productivity
If the bleed valve is positioned to improve airflow efficiency, then the device complexity increases due to additional components and routing
Solution Approach 1:
The bleed valve is integrated into the existing air treatment member assembly, serving multiple functions: regulating airflow, maintaining cyclone performance, and enabling easy access during maintenance. This multi-functional integration improves airflow efficiency while avoiding additional complexity by utilizing the removable dust cup as the housing for the bleed valve.
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 improves ergonomics, maneuverability, and compactness, allowing easier access to filters and accessories while maintaining balance and reducing overall size, thus enhancing user experience and storage convenience.
Implementation Method 1
uniflow cyclone
Implementation Method 2
uniflow cyclone
Data Source
AI summary
A hand vacuum cleaner has a cyclone unit, a front electrical connector and electrical conductors that extend from the front electrical connector to a source of power. The electrical conducts extend along a portion of a wall of the cyclone unit. When a cleaning tool is connected to the hand vacuum cleaner, the cleaning tool is connected in air flow communication with the dirty air inlet and the cleaning tool is electrically connected to the front electrical connector.