Removable Vacuum Brush Coupling for Surface-Adaptive Nozzles

Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum cleaner accessory tools lack a convenient and efficient mechanism for coupling and decoupling agitators, which limits their usability and versatility in cleaning various surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum cleaner accessory tool with a nozzle body, an agitator having rotatable end portions, a drive member, and a release member that is slidable between engaged and disengaged positions, allowing easy attachment and detachment of the agitator within the nozzle body, facilitated by a biasing member that retains the agitator in the engaged position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the agitator is permanently fixed in the nozzle body, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability and ease of operation deteriorate because the agitator cannot be removed for different cleaning surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is divided into separable components: a coupling element on the agitator and a corresponding receptacle in the nozzle body. This segmentation allows the agitator to be either securely fixed during operation or easily removed when needed, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism transitions from a static permanent fixation to a dynamic removable connection. The agitator can be inserted and secured for stable operation, then removed and reattached as needed, providing both structural stability during use and adaptability for different surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the agitator is permanently fixed in the nozzle body, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the agitator cannot be easily removed or reattached

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is divided into separable components: a coupling element on the agitator and a corresponding receptacle in the nozzle body. This segmentation allows the agitator to be either securely fixed during operation or easily removed when needed, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism transitions from a static permanent fixation to a dynamic removable connection. The agitator can be inserted and secured for stable operation, then removed and reattached as needed, providing both structural stability during use and adaptability for different surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a removable coupling mechanism is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional coupling and decoupling components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is divided into separable components: a coupling element on the agitator and a corresponding receptacle in the nozzle body. This segmentation allows the agitator to be either securely fixed during operation or easily removed when needed, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism transitions from a static permanent fixation to a dynamic removable connection. The agitator can be inserted and secured for stable operation, then removed and reattached as needed, providing both structural stability during use and adaptability for different surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables convenient and efficient operation of the agitator, allowing for easy removal and reattachment, enhancing the tool's versatility and usability on different surfaces by maintaining the agitator's operational position through a spring-loaded mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

a biasing member is coupled to the release member and is configured to bias the release member toward the engaged position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS8037571B2Vacuum cleaner accessory tool having a removable brush

Publication Date: 2011.10.18 TECHTRONIC FLOOR CARE TECH LTD

AI summary

A vacuum cleaner accessory tool for use with a vacuum cleaner. The accessory tool includes a nozzle body defining a chamber. An agitator having a first end portion and a second end portion is rotatably supported within the chamber of the nozzle body, and the agitator is removably coupled to the nozzle body. A drive member is coupled to the agitator, and a release member is coupled to the nozzle body and slidable with respect to the nozzle body between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the release member engages the second end portion of the agitator to couple the agitator to the nozzle body within the chamber. In the disengaged position, the release member allows the agitator to be removed from the chamber of the nozzle body.