Handheld surface cleaning apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hand vacuum cleaners often face issues with heat management during battery discharge, leading to reduced performance and efficiency, and they can be cumbersome due to the concentration of mass from heavy components like batteries and motors.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an airflow path that directs high-velocity air from the cyclone chamber onto the energy storage chamber wall, and positions the suction motor and energy storage members to distribute weight and reduce the overall size, while maintaining ergonomic balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If high-velocity airflow is directed against the energy storage chamber wall for cooling, then battery temperature is reduced, but airflow path complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is integrated into the existing airflow path by directing the air outlet of the cyclone chamber toward the energy storage chamber wall. The same airflow that serves to move dust particles also provides cooling to the battery, merging two functions into one without adding separate cooling components or complex ducting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow system serves dual purposes: it performs both the primary function of dust collection and the secondary function of battery cooling. The high-velocity airflow generated for cyclone separation automatically provides cooling when directed at the energy storage chamber wall, allowing the system to cool itself without external intervention or additional energy input.
2Ease of operation
If suction motor and energy storage members are positioned to distribute weight, then ergonomic balance is improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The components are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration rather than a linear layout. The suction motor is positioned above the energy storage members, utilizing vertical space to achieve weight distribution and balance. This vertical stacking approach allows ergonomic optimization without significantly increasing the horizontal footprint of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal component layout employs asymmetric positioning where the suction motor is located above and the energy storage members are positioned below, creating an unbalanced internal arrangement that achieves external balance. This asymmetric internal configuration optimizes the center of gravity for handheld operation while maintaining a compact overall form factor.
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 solution effectively cools the batteries during discharge, enhances airflow efficiency, and provides a compact, balanced design that improves user handling and performance.
Implementation Method 1
By directing relatively high-velocity airflow directly against a wall of such a chamber, cooling of an energy storage member (e.g. battery) located in the chamber may be promoted
Data Source
AI summary
A hand vacuum cleaner has an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. An air treatment member is positioned in the air flow path. A removable pre-motor filter assembly is positioned downstream of the air treatment member and upstream of a suction motor, the pre-motor filter assembly comprising a pre-motor filter and a filter support member, the filter support member having an outlet conduit wherein a terminal end of the outlet conduit extends at a first angle to a direction of air flow through the outlet conduit.