Low profile surface cleaning head
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing all-in-the-head vacuum cleaners have a higher profile due to the accommodation of suction motor and cyclone components, making them unsuitable for low-clearance cleaning applications such as under couches.
Innovation Solution
The suction motor is relocated to an upper portion, pivotably coupled to the surface cleaning head, with dual smaller diameter cyclones housed within the head, allowing for a lower profile design while maintaining performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If suction motor and cyclone components are accommodated within the surface cleaning head, then the vacuum cleaner can be compact and integrated, but the profile height becomes higher than desired for low-clearance applications
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum cleaner is divided into two main segments: the surface cleaning head and the upper portion containing the suction motor. The cyclone assembly is further segmented into a removable dust cup and a fixed cyclone housing. This segmentation allows the heavy motor to be separated from the cleaning head, reducing the head's profile height while maintaining component integration through fluid coupling between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction motor is relocated from the horizontal plane of the cleaning head to the vertical dimension in the upper portion. This dimensional relocation allows the motor to be positioned above the cleaning head rather than within it, significantly reducing the profile height of the cleaning head while keeping the motor accessible and functional through the fluid coupling system.
2Length of stationary object
If the suction motor is relocated to an upper portion, then the surface cleaning head profile is reduced for low-clearance cleaning, but the device requires pivotable coupling and fluid connections between sections
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the suction motor in the upper portion and the cyclone assembly in the cleaning head. This intermediary allows rotational motion and suction force to be transmitted through the pivotable connection without requiring direct mechanical coupling, simplifying the pivot mechanism while maintaining functional integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the upper portion and cleaning head is made dynamic through a pivotable coupling that allows relative motion. This dynamic connection enables the cleaning head to be positioned at different angles for various cleaning applications while maintaining the suction connection through the flexible fluid coupling, adapting the system to different operational requirements.
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 reduces the height of the surface cleaning head to less than 90 mm, enabling effective cleaning in low-clearance areas with improved accessibility and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a cyclone assembly including first and second opposing cyclones each in an air path in fluid communication with the suction motor
Implementation Method 2
suction motor located in an upper portion pivotably coupled to the surface cleaning head
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus provides a lower profile surface cleaning head by moving at least the suction motor out of the surface cleaning head. The suction motor may be located in an upper portion (e.g., in a wand) pivotably coupled to the surface cleaning head and fluidly connected to a cyclone assembly located in the surface cleaning head. The cyclone assembly may include first and second opposing cyclones with smaller diameters (e.g., as compared to a single cyclone used in existing “all in the head” vacuums) to provide a lower profile with substantially the same or better performance.