Low-Profile Cyclone Cleaning Head for Under-Furniture Reach
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Solution Overview
Problem
All-in-the-head surface cleaning apparatuses have not been widely accepted due to limitations in design, such as increased height restricting maneuverability under furniture and limited filtration ability, and existing designs often require the suction motor and air treatment components to be positioned in a way that increases the height of the cleaning head, limiting its ability to clean under low-clearance spaces.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates cyclonic air treatment in a compact format by positioning the dirt collection chamber forward or rearward of the cyclone chamber, allowing the surface cleaning head to maintain a lower height while still achieving effective air treatment and filtration, with a cyclone bin assembly that can be removably mounted for easy emptying and a pre-motor filter chamber for improved filtration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the suction motor and air treatment members are positioned in the surface cleaning head, then the surface cleaning head becomes lighter and smaller, but the height increases limiting maneuverability under furniture
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclone chamber is oriented horizontally rather than vertically, changing the dimension in which the air treatment members are arranged. This allows the suction motor and cyclone to be positioned within the width constraints of the surface cleaning head rather than increasing its height, resolving the contradiction between compactness and maneuverability under furniture
2Device complexity
If the surface cleaning head is made wedge shaped with increased height at rear end, then operating components can be positioned, but the height limits the extent to which the surface cleaning head may travel under furniture
Solution Approach 1:
The surface cleaning head employs asymmetric component positioning where the cyclone chamber is located at the front and the suction motor is positioned at the rear, both within the same horizontal plane. This asymmetric arrangement allows adequate space for operating components without creating a wedge shape that would increase overall height and limit furniture clearance
3Ease of manufacture
If a filter is used to treat air, then air treatment is achieved, but the filtration ability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional filter-based air treatment system with a cyclone separation system. The cyclone chamber uses centrifugal force generated by rotating airflow to separate particulate matter from air, providing superior filtration ability without the limitations of conventional filters while maintaining ease of manufacture
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 configuration enables the surface cleaning head to maintain a low profile, allowing it to clean under furniture without increasing height, while providing a dirt storage capacity sufficient for entire residence cleaning without frequent emptying and improved filtration capabilities comparable to leading upright cyclonic vacuum cleaners.
Implementation Method 1
a cyclone chamber (164) in which a cyclone (173) is defined
Implementation Method 2
the cyclone chamber (164) in which a cyclone (173) is defined
Implementation Method 3
a suction motor (162) positioned downstream from the cyclone bin assembly and having an air inlet (246) and an air outlet (270)
Data Source
AI summary
An all in the head surface cleaning apparatus may include a surface cleaning head having a dirty air inlet and first and second laterally opposed sidewalls. The surface cleaning head may include a brush motor drivingly connected to a moveable brushing member, the brush motor having a brush motor axis. The surface cleaning head may include a cyclone assembly having a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber and positioned forward or rearward of the cyclone chamber. The cyclone may have a longitudinal cyclone axis. The surface cleaning head may include a suction motor having a first end, a second end and a suction motor axis extending between the first and second ends. An upper portion may be mounted to the surface cleaning head between a storage position and a floor cleaning position, and may include drive handle.