Handheld Vacuum Cleaner Weight Distribution and Airflow Layout Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handheld vacuum cleaners are inconvenient to use due to the concentration of weight at the handle, leading to wrist strain, and suffer from airflow inefficiencies caused by the placement of heavy components and long air channels.

Innovation Solution

A cleaner design with a suction unit and handle where the suction motor is positioned over the dust separation unit and the handle is placed behind, distributing weight evenly, and using a modular structure with a sealing member to maintain sealing and improve aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the airflow generator and power supply are disposed right over and under the handle, then the center of gravity concentrates on the handle, but this causes inconvenience for users and may injure the user's wrist

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent arrangementVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The main body is divided into a first body and a second body, with heavy components (airflow generator and power supply) distributed in different locations - the airflow generator in the first body and the power supply in the second body. This segmentation distributes the center of gravity away from the handle, improving user comfort while maintaining structural organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the airflow generator is disposed behind the cyclone, then the assembly is compact, but the air channel becomes necessarily long and causes large flow loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaner sizeVSAvoidairflow loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow generator is positioned laterally adjacent to the cyclone rather than behind it, changing the spatial arrangement from a longitudinal to a lateral configuration. This dimensional change shortens the air channel length and reduces the number of flow direction changes, thereby decreasing airflow loss while maintaining compact overall dimensions.

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

3Device complexity

If the airflow generator is disposed right over the handle, then the structure is simplified, but the discharged air directly touches the user's hand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoiduser discomfort from discharged air
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow generator is extracted from its position directly over the handle and relocated to the first body, which is positioned away from the user's hand. This extraction removes the source of discharged air from proximity to the user's hand, eliminating the harmful effect of hot or high-velocity air contacting the user while preserving the functional integration of the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Shape

If a sealing member is exposed to the outside for aesthetic appearance, then the cleaner looks better, but the sealing member may separate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidsealing member retention
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing member is merged with the second body through integral formation or secure attachment, creating a unified structure where the sealing member becomes part of the second body's architecture. This merging ensures that the exposed sealing member maintains both its aesthetic function and structural retention, preventing separation while preserving visual appeal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enhances user convenience by distributing weight, improves airflow efficiency, and maintains effective sealing while preventing the sealing member from separating, thus reducing wrist strain and increasing suction force.

Implementation Method 1

a suction motor that generates suction force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

an impeller that rotates about a rotational axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Implementation Method 3

a dust-separating unit that separates dust from air which has been sucked in by the suction force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 4

a first cyclone unit and a second cyclone unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3485774B1Vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2022.08.17 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3485774B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3485774B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3485774B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cleaner includes: a suction unit; a main body that is connected with the suction unit and separates dust from air sucked through the suction unit; and a handle unit that is connected to the main body, wherein the main body includes: a first body and a second body; a sealing member for sealing a boundary between the first body and the second body; and a support body that supports the sealing member and has an opening that communicates with the suction unit.