Retractable Nozzle Design for Handheld Vacuum Cleaner Versatility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld vacuum cleaners with built-in expandable nozzles face limitations in functionality when the nozzle is retracted, due to a restricted nozzle inlet width, which compromises cleaning efficiency for both embedded and loose debris.
Innovation Solution
A retractable nozzle design that slides and pivots within the vacuum cleaner's housing, allowing for a larger cross-sectional area of the dirty air inlet when deployed and a smaller, more efficient area when retracted, along with the ability to attach accessories in the retracted configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a built-in expandable nozzle is provided in a handheld vacuum cleaner, then the functionality for different cleaning tasks is improved, but the width of the nozzle inlet is limited when the nozzle is retracted
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is designed to be dynamically changeable between retracted and extended configurations. The retractable nozzle assembly can be moved along the longitudinal axis and pivoted across it, allowing the system to adapt its inlet width dynamically based on the cleaning task requirements, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and inlet width limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces movement in multiple dimensions - longitudinal movement to extend/retract the nozzle and lateral pivoting movement to adjust the inlet width. By utilizing these additional degrees of freedom, the system achieves both compact storage (small inlet width when retracted) and expanded functionality (large inlet width when deployed).
2Area of stationary object
If a built-in expandable nozzle takes up a significant proportion of the width of the end of the handheld vacuum cleaner, then the nozzle can provide a larger inlet area, but the vacuum cleaner becomes more cumbersome to carry and store
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable nozzle assembly is designed to nest within the housing of the vacuum cleaner when not in use. The nozzle can be fully retracted into the housing, significantly reducing the overall width and making the vacuum cleaner more compact and easier to carry and store, while still providing access to a larger inlet area when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic retraction and extension mechanism allows the nozzle to transition between a compact stored state (reducing width for portability) and an expanded working state (providing larger inlet area). This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between having a large inlet area and maintaining ease of carrying.
3Length of stationary object
If the nozzle inlet width is limited when the built-in nozzle is retracted, then the vacuum cleaner remains compact, but the cleaning efficiency for both embedded and loose debris is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains a compact width when the nozzle is retracted but can dynamically extend and pivot the nozzle to provide a larger inlet width when cleaning efficiency is required. This dynamic adjustment allows the vacuum cleaner to optimize between compactness and cleaning performance based on the specific task at hand.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractable nozzle assembly serves multiple functions - it can be retracted to maintain a compact profile for portability, extended to provide a larger inlet for efficient cleaning of both embedded and loose debris, and pivoted to adjust the inlet orientation. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between maintaining compact dimensions and achieving high cleaning efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vacuum cleaner comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis. A motor-fan assembly is mounted in the housing and arranged to generate an airflow along an airflow path from a dirty air inlet to an air exhaust. A retractable nozzle defines the dirty air inlet and is moveably mounted on the housing. At least a portion of the retractable nozzle is arranged to move between a retracted configuration within the housing and a deployed configuration outside the housing. The portion of the retractable nozzle in the retracted configuration is aligned in a direction along the longitudinal axis and the portion of the retractable nozzle in the deployed configuration is aligned in a direction across the longitudinal axis.