Pivoting Debris Collector Housing for Easy Impeller Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing debris collection devices are hindered by bulky rotary valves that reduce efficiency due to debris adherence and difficult access for cleaning, leading to inefficient operation and maintenance challenges.

Innovation Solution

A debris collector design featuring a telescopic duct system with a slide valve for air flow control, allowing for easy access and reduced debris adherence, and a pivoting motor housing for improved cleaning and compact packaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rotary valve is used to divert air flow between vacuum and blow modes, then mode switching capability is improved, but device size increases and debris adherence occurs reducing collection efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode switching capabilityVSAvoiddebris collection efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The air flow control system is segmented into separate components: a first valve controls air flow to the vacuum mode, and a second valve controls air flow to the blow mode. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single complex rotary valve, reducing debris adherence while maintaining mode switching capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The problematic rotary valve component that causes debris adherence is extracted and replaced with a simpler valve arrangement. The air flow diversion function is achieved through separate valves positioned away from the collection mouth, removing the source of debris accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a rotary valve is used for mode switching, then versatility is improved, but cleaning accessibility worsens requiring dismantling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode switching capabilityVSAvoidcleaning accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The valve system is segmented into multiple accessible components rather than a single integrated rotary valve. The first and second valves are positioned such that they can be individually accessed and cleaned without dismantling the entire collection device, improving maintenance accessibility while preserving mode switching functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If a rotary valve configuration is used, then mode switching is achieved, but device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode switching capabilityVSAvoidoverall device size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex rotary valve mechanism is segmented into simpler, separate valve components. This segmentation reduces the overall complexity and size of the device while maintaining the ability to switch between vacuum and blow modes through coordinated operation of the first and second valves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If frequent cleaning of rotary valve is required, then debris collection efficiency is maintained, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris collection efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning-mandated rotary valve component is extracted and replaced with a valve arrangement that is less prone to debris adherence. The new configuration allows for easier, less frequent cleaning, reducing maintenance time while preserving debris collection efficiency through improved airflow control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

By segmenting the valve system into multiple accessible components, cleaning can be performed more quickly and easily on individual valves rather than disassembling and cleaning a complex rotary mechanism, reducing the time loss associated with maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enhances debris collection efficiency by minimizing debris adherence and facilitating easy maintenance, while allowing for both vacuum and blow modes with reduced size and improved accessibility.

Implementation Method 1

an impeller for establishing a flow of air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpeller: Impeller

Implementation Method 2

debris collector comprising a chassis, means for supporting the device above ground datum, an impeller for establishing a flow of air, a duct directly or indirectly supported on the chassis for conveying loose material entrained in a stream of air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir stream flow: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP2130475B1Debris collector

Publication Date: 2012.01.25 HUSQVARNA UK

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AI summary

A debris collector comprises a chassis (1) and an impeller (14) for establishing a flow of air. A duct (4, 5) is supported by the chassis (1) for conveying loose material entrained in a stream of air generated by the impeller (14) towards a proximal region of the duct from a collection mouth (10) at a distal end thereof. The impeller (14) is mounted in a housing (3) at the proximal end of the duct (4, 5), the housing being pivotably attached to the chassis (1) in such a manner that pivotal movement of the housing away from the chassis exposes the impeller and the downstream end of the duct (4, 5) for cleaning purposes.