Low-Profile Upright Vacuum Layout for Cleaning Under Furniture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Upright vacuum cleaners often struggle to clean under furniture due to their design, which limits the extent to which the surface cleaning head can extend, requiring users to move furniture or use secondary tools.
Innovation Solution
The vacuum cleaner is configured to allow the surface cleaning head and upright section to fit beneath furniture by reducing the depth of the upright section, with components overlapped or positioned vertically to lower the center of gravity, and the suction motor placed below the air treatment member, enabling the cleaning unit to be moved into a low profile position for effective cleaning under objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the upright section is designed with standard depth to accommodate air treatment members and motor, then the vacuum cleaner can maintain effective dirt separation efficiency, but the surface cleaning head cannot extend sufficiently beneath furniture
Solution Approach 1:
The air treatment member assembly is repositioned from a lateral arrangement to a vertical arrangement above the suction motor, utilizing the vertical dimension to reduce the depth of the upright section. This allows the surface cleaning head to extend further beneath furniture while maintaining all necessary air treatment functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction motor is positioned below the air treatment member assembly, with the air inlet of the motor aligned with the air outlet of the air treatment member. This nested configuration eliminates the need for additional air flow conduits and reduces the overall depth of the upright section while maintaining functional integrity.
2Length of moving object
If the air treatment member assembly is positioned laterally to reduce upright section depth, then the vacuum cleaner can fit beneath furniture, but the air flow path becomes longer and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The air outlet of the air treatment member is directly aligned with the air inlet of the suction motor, merging the air flow paths into a single continuous channel. This eliminates the need for separate air flow conduits and simplifies the overall air flow configuration while maintaining reduced depth.
3Ease of operation
If components are overlapped vertically to reduce depth, then the vacuum cleaner can maneuver under furniture, but the center of gravity shifts requiring repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The upright section is made rotatable relative to the surface cleaning head, allowing dynamic adjustment of the center of gravity position. Users can rotate the upright section to achieve optimal balance and maneuverability when cleaning beneath furniture, adapting the device configuration to different operational needs.
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 allows for thorough cleaning under furniture without moving it, reducing the need for secondary tools and maintaining dirt separation efficiency and maneuverability.
Implementation Method 1
a suction motor positioned below the air treatment member assembly
Implementation Method 2
an air treatment member assembly (110) comprising an air treatment member (113)
Data Source
AI summary
A low profile upright surface cleaning apparatus has an upright section which includes an air treatment member and a dirt collection region that is positioned laterally from the air treatment member wherein at least 60% of the volume is positioned laterally from the cyclone and/or on only one side of the air treatment member.