Recessed Vacuum Cleaner Switch Trigger to Prevent False Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaners are prone to false triggering due to the placement of switches, which can lead to accidental activation or deactivation, and often have complex structures that are not user-friendly.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum cleaner design featuring a recessed switch trigger housed within a cavity in the side wall of the housing, with a rocker button configuration and a drain hole to prevent water ingress, ensuring the switch can only be operated by active action and reducing the risk of false triggering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the switch is placed on the upper surface of the machine close to the front, then the switch is easily accessible for operation, but the switch is prone to false triggering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitch accessibilityVSAvoidfalse triggering risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The switch trigger is nested within a recessed cavity in the housing, creating a nested structure where the switch is housed inside the cavity rather than being exposed on the outer surface. This nesting approach allows the switch to remain accessible while preventing accidental activation from external contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The recessed cavity acts as an intermediary structure between the external environment and the switch trigger. This intermediate space provides a protective barrier that prevents direct contact with the switch while still allowing intentional operation, thus mediating between accessibility and protection needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a rotatory switch is used, then the switch can be protected from false triggering, but the structure becomes more complex and harder to operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefalse triggering preventionVSAvoidswitch structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a simple push-button switch trigger instead of a complex rotatory switch mechanism. This simpler switch design, combined with the recessed cavity protection, achieves reliable false-trigger prevention without requiring complex mechanical structures, effectively replacing a complex solution with a simpler alternative.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If the switch trigger is exposed on the outer contour of the housing, then the switch is easy to operate, but the switch is vulnerable to water ingress and false triggering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitch operabilityVSAvoidwater ingress and false triggering
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The switch trigger is nested within the recessed cavity, creating a protected internal space that shields the switch from external harmful factors such as water and accidental contact, while maintaining operational accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The recessed cavity serves as an intermediary protective structure that separates the switch trigger from the external environment, providing a buffer zone that prevents direct exposure to water and accidental activation while allowing controlled access for intentional operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3636129B1Vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 SKYBEST ELECTRIC APPLIANCE (SUZHOU) CO LTD
  • EP3636129B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3636129B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3636129B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided is a vacuum cleaner, comprising a head assembly, a dust storage barrel (30, 30') and a filter assembly arranged below the head assembly, wherein the dust storage barrel (30, 30') is detachably connected to the head assembly. The head assembly comprises a housing and a fan arranged in the housing. A switch for controlling the fan is provided in the housing. A recessed cavity (40, 40') is provided in the side wall of the housing. A switch trigger (50, 50') for turning on or turning off the switch is provided in the cavity (40, 40'); any part of the switch trigger (50, 50') is hidden in the outer contour of the housing; and the cavity (40, 40') comprises an opening opened in the side wall of the housing. There is an angle between the direction in which the switch triggering (50, 50') is triggered to operate and the direction that the opening faces. By means of setting the switch trigger (50, 50') in the recessed cavity (40, 40'), the operator can only operate the switch by active action, thus avoiding the probability of false triggering of the machine, and the use of the vacuum cleaner is safer.