Self-Cleaning Hand Vacuum With Integrated Floor Dustpan
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand vacuum cleaners and electric dustpans lack a simple, economical, and user-friendly combination system that allows for easy cleaning and conversion between hand vacuum and electric dustpan functions.
Innovation Solution
A hand vacuum cleaner with a self-cleaning filter and a pivotable dirt collection tray that opens for easy dirt removal, which can be mounted in a sweeper stand to function as an electric dustpan, and can be converted into a stick vacuum by attaching a nozzle and handle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hand vacuum cleaner is designed with a separate rechargeable base, then the vacuum can be recharged without worrying about electric outlets availability, but the device complexity and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rechargeable base and floor dustpan functions into a single integrated unit. The base unit includes both the battery charging mechanism and the floor dustpan with suction capability, eliminating the need for separate components while providing both hand vacuum and floor dustpan functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit serves multiple functions: it acts as a rechargeable station for the hand vacuum, functions as a floor dustpan for sweeping debris, and provides a docking station with electrical outlet. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining operational flexibility.
2Strength
If the dirt collection tray is made fixed and closed, then the structural integrity is improved, but the ease of cleaning and dirt removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dirt collection tray is designed with a movable, pivotable connection to the housing rather than a fixed connection. This allows the tray to be easily opened and removed for cleaning while maintaining structural integrity when closed. The dynamic connection enables easy access to the collection chamber without compromising the overall housing strength.
3Ease of manufacture
If the filter is designed as a fixed component, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ease of cleaning and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is connected to the housing via a pivotable connection that allows it to be easily opened and accessed. This dynamic connection enables the filter to be removed and cleaned without disassembling the entire vacuum unit, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving maintenance accessibility.
4Weight of moving object
If the hand vacuum is designed to be lightweight and compact, then the portability is improved, but the suction power and dust collection capacity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides lightweight hand vacuum functionality for portable cleaning tasks, while the integrated base unit provides enhanced suction power and larger dust collection capacity for floor dustpan operations. This multi-functionality allows the user to have both lightweight portability and powerful suction capability without requiring a single heavy unit for both purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner with a self-cleaning filter and a sweeper stand that also functions as an electric dustpan when the vacuum is seated within the sweeper stand is provided. The vacuum includes a housing having an air inlet at one end of the housing and a handle at the other end of the housing. An air passageway includes a deflector to direct dirt into a dirt collection tray which is pivotably mounted to the housing. A filter mounted on the motor divider wall and a filter cleaning arch mounted on the dirt collection tray so that the filter cleaning arch strikes the filter to dislodge dirt collected on the filter as the dirt collection tray pivots open. The sweeper stand includes a housing for receiving the hand vacuum, an opening for directing dirt laden air into an air inlet of the hand vacuum. Power switches to actuate the hand vacuum when the hand vacuum is seated in the sweeper stand are provided.