Removable Battery Mounting for Cordless Convertible Stick Vacuums
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handheld/stick vacuums become less versatile when converted to cordless versions due to the added mass of battery packs, which affects their lightweight and portable design.
Innovation Solution
A cordless convertible handheld/stick vacuum design where the battery pack is removably mounted and electrically connected to the handheld unit and surface cleaning head, allowing for minimal weight addition while maintaining versatility by being capable of being used as both a stick vacuum and a handheld device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a battery pack is added to create a cordless vacuum, then the vacuum gains cordless mobility, but the added mass reduces versatility and increases weight
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is designed as a separate, removable module that can be independently attached to or removed from the handheld unit. This segmentation allows the battery weight to be added only when cordless operation is needed, and removed when lightweight handling is prioritized, thus resolving the contradiction between cordless mobility and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one where the battery pack can be easily repositioned between the handheld unit and the base station. This dynamic reconfigurability allows the vacuum to adapt its weight and functionality based on operational needs, maintaining versatility while enabling cordless operation.
2Device complexity
If the battery pack is permanently integrated, then the vacuum structure is simplified, but versatility is reduced as it cannot be easily reconfigured
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the vacuum into modular components with standardized interfaces, the system achieves both structural simplicity and configuration flexibility. The removable battery pack with standardized mounting interfaces allows easy reconfiguration without complex assembly procedures, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack is designed with universal mounting capabilities that allow it to be attached to different vacuum configurations (handheld mode, docked mode). This multi-functionality enables the same battery component to serve various operational modes, maintaining versatility while keeping the overall system design relatively simple.
3Weight of moving object
If the battery pack is made compact, then the handheld unit remains lightweight, but the battery capacity may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The battery capacity issue is resolved by moving the solution to a different dimension - instead of increasing handheld battery size (which would increase weight), the system provides a larger battery capacity at the base station. The handheld unit remains lightweight with a compact battery, while extended runtime is achieved by docking at the base station to recharge, thus resolving the contradiction between weight and runtime.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a surface cleaning apparatus is disclosed. The surface cleaning apparatus including a surface cleaning head, a handheld unit, at least one tube configured to be removably coupled between the handheld unit and the surface cleaning head such that an air flow path is formed from the surface cleaning head through the tube to the handheld unit, and a battery pack electrically connected to the handheld unit and configured to be removably mounted to the surface cleaning head, to the tube, and/or to the handheld unit.