Hand-held vacuum cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hand-held vacuum cleaners, particularly stick vacuums, tend to be unstable in lying positions, leading to potential damage and loss of suction material due to tilting, which compromises their operability and effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a suction container with a first and second planar surface that allows the vacuum cleaner to maintain stability in various lying positions by adjusting the center of gravity and providing a wider base, preventing deformation and ensuring suctioned items remain inside.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If the vacuum cleaner is designed with a large storage area, then the user can easily put it down during a vacuuming break, but the vacuum cleaner will easily slip off the wall and tip over when leaned against a wall or placed in a lying position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage area volumeVSAvoidstability in lying position
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a planar surface extending from the suction container base, creating a new dimensional element (a flat resting surface) that provides stability in the lying position. This planar surface allows the vacuum cleaner to rest stably on its side without tipping over, resolving the contradiction between large storage volume and lying position stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the vacuum cleaner is placed in a lying position, then it can be stored during a vacuum break, but the vacuum cleaner can tip over to one side and may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of storage during breakVSAvoidrisk of damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The planar surface extends the base of the suction container horizontally, creating a stable resting platform when the vacuum cleaner is placed in a lying position. This additional dimensional element prevents tipping and reduces the risk of damage during storage breaks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the vacuum cleaner is placed in a lying position, then it can be stored, but the vacuum cleaner can lose suction material due to an unfavorable tilting movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of storage during breakVSAvoidloss of suction material
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The planar surface creates a stable, level resting position that prevents unfavorable tilting movements. By providing a flat base for the suction container, it ensures suction material remains contained and does not spill or shift during storage in lying positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3772309B1Hand-held vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP3772309B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3772309B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3772309B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a handheld vacuum cleaner with a handle (1), a suction tube (2), a floor nozzle (3), and a separator unit (4), which comprises a device body (41) containing a drive unit and a collection container (42) for suctioning material through the floor nozzle (3) into the collection container (42). The handle (1), the suction tube (2), the floor nozzle (3), and the separator unit (4) can be connected to each other in a first (lower) configuration and in a second (upper) configuration. In the first (lower) configuration, the suction tube (2) is arranged between the separator unit (4) and the handle (1). In the second (upper) configuration, the suction tube (2) is arranged between the floor nozzle (3) and the separator unit (4) such that the suctioned material passes through the suction tube (2) on its way from the floor nozzle (3) to the collection container (42). (42) has a first planar surface (421),which is designed in such a way that the vacuum cleaner is stable when it is arranged in a lying position on the first planar surface (421).