Pivotable Inlet Nozzle Vacuum Cleaner with Integrated Hose Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld vacuum cleaners with pivotable nozzles face challenges in accessing small spaces due to bulkiness and require separate storage of flexible hoses, which can be inconvenient and lead to forgotten accessories, while integrated carpet brushes limit versatility on non-floor surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner design featuring a pivotable inlet nozzle that transitions between fluid communication with a flexible hose and a remote position, allowing for compact storage and integration of the hose within the handle, along with a detachable second inlet nozzle for accessory coupling, enabling versatile cleaning without separate accessory storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pivotable nozzle is provided to reach high surfaces, then accessibility to high and low surfaces is improved, but the nozzle becomes bulky and cannot fit into small spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is divided into separate functional components: a handheld vacuum cleaner with a pivotable nozzle and a separate flexible hose with inlet nozzle. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the pivotable nozzle can be compact while the flexible hose provides the reach capability, resolving the contradiction between versatility and compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a flexible hose as an intermediate element that extends the cleaning device's reach in a different dimensional space. Instead of making the nozzle itself long and bulky to reach high surfaces, the flexible hose provides the extended reach while keeping the handheld unit compact and maneuverable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If accessories are stored separately for specific cleaning applications, then versatility is improved, but convenience deteriorates due to separate storage requirements and risk of forgetting accessories
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hose is integrated into the handheld vacuum cleaner body, merging what would otherwise be separate accessories into a unified device. The hose can be stowed within recesses in the handle, ensuring it is always available and never forgotten, while still providing versatility for different cleaning applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose is designed to be self-stowing within the handle recesses, automatically organizing itself when not in use. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate storage containers or manual organization of accessories.
3Volume of moving object
If the pivotable nozzle is stored in a compact position, then device portability is improved, but the flexible hose may not be readily accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The hose is pre-positioned within recesses in the handle, ready for immediate use. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the user needs the hose, it is already in place and easily accessible, eliminating any delay or difficulty in accessing the flexible hose component.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vacuum cleaner 100 comprises a housing 104; a motor fan assembly 200 mounted in the housing 104; a pivotable inlet nozzle 300 in fluid communication with the motor fan assembly 200; and a dirt container 108 coupled to the pivotable inlet nozzle 300 and the housing 104. The pivotable inlet nozzle 300 is pivotable a first operable position whereby the pivotable inlet nozzle 300 is in fluid communication with a flexible hose 310 mounted on the housing 104 and a second operable position whereby the pivotable inlet nozzle 300 projects from the housing 104 and is remote from the flexible hose 310.