Replacement head for a vacuum

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum devices struggle to efficiently clean mixed media debris, including both dry and wet debris, with high setup times and messy maintenance, often requiring multiple tools and manual handling.

Innovation Solution

A replacement head for vacuum devices featuring a tray with a dust chamber, filter, and pad, designed for easy attachment and detachment, which includes connector lips for secure fitting and a filter to prevent mess during replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a combination tool is used to handle both dry and wet media, then cleaning capability is improved, but setup time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning capabilityVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning system is divided into separate functional components: a reusable vacuum device and replaceable cleaning heads designed for specific debris types. Users can quickly swap between dry debris heads, wet debris heads, and scrubbing heads without reconfiguring the entire system, reducing setup time while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vacuum device serves as a universal platform that can handle multiple debris types through interchangeable heads. The standardized attachment mechanism allows one vacuum body to perform multiple cleaning functions by simply changing the head component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a combination tool is used to handle both dry and wet media, then cleaning capability is improved, but maintenance effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning head is segmented into removable components including the pad, tray, and filter assembly. After use, users can easily detach and discard the soiled pad and tray while retaining the reusable filter and housing, significantly reducing maintenance effort compared to cleaning entire combination tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design separates disposable components (pad, tray) from reusable components (filter, housing). Users discard the contaminated disposable parts and retain the clean reusable parts, minimizing cleaning and maintenance requirements while maintaining cleaning capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Adaptability or versatility

If a combination tool is used to handle both dry and wet media, then cleaning capability is improved, but mess during maintenance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning capabilityVSAvoidmess during maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The soiled pad and tray are extracted as separate removable components from the vacuum system. This allows users to remove and discard contaminated parts without handling the entire vacuum device, minimizing mess and potential exposure to dirty debris during maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter assembly acts as an intermediary barrier that separates clean and dirty components. During maintenance, the filter prevents direct contact between the user and soiled debris in the tray, reducing mess and improving hygiene during the replacement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If manual handling is required for tool replacement, then ease of operation decreases, but device complexity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidease of replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connector lips incorporate movable connector arms that can be easily actuated by the user. The arms move between engaged and disengaged positions with simple manual motion, making the replacement process intuitive and easy while maintaining secure attachment during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connector lips are positioned and shaped to provide ergonomic grip points and clear visual indicators for proper orientation. This local optimization of the attachment interface makes the replacement operation naturally intuitive, improving ease of use without adding overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4051073B1Replacement head for a vacuum
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
  • EP4051073B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4051073B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4051073B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A replacement head for a vacuum device includes a plastic tray, a filter and a pad. The plastic tray includes a dust chamber that has a sealing surface and at least one opening. The opening is provided to allow air, dust and debris to be drawn into the dust chamber during use. The sealing surface defines a sealing surface plane and the opening defines an opening place. The relative angle between the sealing surface plane and the opening plane is preferably between about -20 degrees and +150 degrees. The pad is attached to the lower side of the plastic tray and is in contact with the floor during cleaning. The filter is connected to the plastic tray such that the filter substantially covers a top opening in the dust chamber.