Surface cleaning apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hand vacuum cleaners have limited dirt collection capacity and bulky pods that hinder their effectiveness in cleaning larger areas, while upright vacuum cleaners are cumbersome for above-floor cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A hand vacuum cleaner with a cyclone chamber and an external dirt collection chamber, where the front end is openable to facilitate easy emptying and removal of debris, and a sidewall separating the chambers, allowing for enhanced dirt outlet accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hand vacuum cleaner uses a traditional enclosed dirt collection chamber, then the structure is simple and compact, but the dirt outlet becomes difficult to access and clean
Solution Approach 1:
The dirt collection chamber is divided into two separate chambers: a first dirt collection chamber and a second dirt collection chamber. The sidewall separating these chambers includes a DirtOutlet that provides direct access to both chambers. This segmentation allows the DirtOutlet to serve multiple functions and improves accessibility without requiring complex disassembly mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The DirtOutlet in the sidewall serves as a universal access point for both the first and second dirt collection chambers. A single opening provides access to remove debris from either chamber, eliminating the need for separate access points and simplifying the overall structure while improving operational ease.
2Quantity of substance
If a hand vacuum cleaner has a single dirt collection chamber, then the structure is compact, but the dirt collection capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The second dirt collection chamber is positioned within or adjacent to the first dirt collection chamber, with the sidewall separating them. This nested arrangement allows both chambers to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, effectively doubling the dirt collection capacity without proportionally increasing the overall vacuum cleaner size.
3Ease of operation
If a hand vacuum cleaner has an openable front end, then debris removal is easier, but the structural integrity and sealing may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The DirtOutlet is extracted as a separate, dedicated opening in the sidewall, distinct from the front end closure. This allows the front end to remain permanently sealed for structural integrity, while the DirtOutlet provides localized access for debris removal. The DirtOutlet can be independently opened or accessed without compromising the overall chamber sealing.
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 enables easier and more efficient emptying of debris, reducing blockages and extending the cleaning duration before the collection chambers need emptying, while maintaining a compact and lightweight form factor.
Implementation Method 1
a cyclone chamber positioned in the air flow path... a cyclone axis of rotation that extends between the cyclone chamber front end wall and the cyclone chamber rear end wall
Data Source
AI summary
A multimode surface cleaner comprising a surface cleaning head, an upright section moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head and a hand vacuum cleaner removably mountable to an upper end of the upright section. An auxiliary dirt collection assembly is removably mountable to the upright section wherein the auxiliary dirt collection assembly is mountable to the upright section while the hand vacuum cleaner is mounted to the upright section. In a first upright mode of operation, the auxiliary dirt collection assembly is removed from the upright section and the hand vacuum cleaner is in airflow communication with the surface cleaning head dirty air inlet whereby dirt is collected in the hand vacuum cleaner. In a second upright mode of operation, the multimode surface cleaner is operable with the auxiliary dirt collection assembly mounted to the upright section whereby dirt is collected in the auxiliary dirt collection assembly.