Rotatable Ducting Member for Vacuum Cleaner Airflow Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surface cleaning apparatuses lack a convenient and efficient mechanism for aligning the ducting member with the suction source, making it difficult to optimize airflow and dirt collection.

Innovation Solution

A surface cleaning apparatus with a rotatably movable ducting member that is removably connected to the housing or dirt collection container, allowing alignment with the suction source, enhancing airflow and dirt collection efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the ducting member is made removably connected and rotatably moveable, then the ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of ducting member alignmentVSAvoidcomplexity of ducting member mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ducting member is designed to be rotatably moveable between locked and unlocked positions, allowing dynamic adjustment and alignment. This enables the ducting member to be easily positioned to align the outlet with the passage leading to the suction source, improving ease of operation while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure through the use of rotational movement and locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the ducting member is rotatably moveable for alignment, then the airflow alignment is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performance efficiencyVSAvoidprecision of ducting member alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatably moveable ducting member with locking mechanism allows the user to easily align and lock the ducting member in the correct position. The design enables self-alignment through the locking mechanism that secures the ducting member when rotated to the locked position, automatically ensuring proper alignment of the outlet with the passage leading to the suction source, thereby improving cleaning performance without requiring high manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The solution enables improved airflow alignment and efficient dirt collection by allowing the ducting member to be easily locked into position, enhancing the overall cleaning performance.

Implementation Method 1

a cyclonic separation device for separating dirt from the airflow passing through the apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCyclonic separation: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentEP3525646B1Surface cleaning apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.09.16 TTI MACAO COMML OFFSHORE LTD

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AI summary

A surface cleaning apparatus (10) includes a housing (16) supporting a suction source and a dirt collection container (18). The surface cleaning apparatus (10) includes further a cyclonic separation device for separating dirt from the airflow passing through the apparatus and a ducting member (70) having an inlet in communication with an outlet from the cyclonic separation device and an outlet in communication with a passage leading to the suction source.