Self-Leveling Vacuum Cleaner Platform to Reduce User Force and Fatigue

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaners require significant user force to maintain a seal against the cleaning surface and are cumbersome to maneuver, leading to user fatigue and inefficiency, especially when switching between primary and secondary vacuum lines.

Innovation Solution

A self-leveling platform device is integrated with a vacuum cleaner, equipped with a steerable tractor powered unit (STPU) that includes a self-leveling platform (SLP), tactile joystick staff (TJS), and onboard processors to maintain a consistent seal and orientation, allowing for minimal user input and easy maneuverability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a vacuum cleaner is designed to maintain a seal against the cleaning surface, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but user force requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal maintenanceVSAvoiduser force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum cleaner is equipped with a self-leveling platform that automatically adjusts and maintains the seal against the cleaning surface without requiring user intervention. The system uses sensors to detect surface contact and motors to adjust the platform angle, enabling the device to service itself in maintaining the seal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical adjustment system is replaced with an automated electromechanical system. Instead of the user physically adjusting the vacuum angle, electronic sensors and motors automatically control the platform positioning to maintain optimal seal contact with the surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a vacuum cleaner is designed for maneuverability, then ease of operation is improved, but stability of seal contact deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidseal contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum cleaner employs a dynamic self-leveling platform that can actively adapt its angle during movement. The system continuously monitors surface contact through sensors and adjusts the platform position in real-time, allowing the vacuum to maintain seal contact while being maneuvered across different surfaces and angles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that provide feedback on surface contact status to the control system. Based on this feedback, the control system adjusts the platform angle to maintain optimal seal contact, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures reliable contact during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If a vacuum cleaner requires user force to maintain seal and maneuver, then control precision is improved, but user fatigue increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoiduser fatigue

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum cleaner performs self-positioning and self-leveling operations automatically, eliminating the need for continuous user intervention. The system uses onboard sensors and motors to maintain optimal operating conditions, allowing the user to simply guide the vacuum without exerting force for seal maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical control with an automated electromechanical system that uses electronic sensors, microprocessors, and motors to control platform positioning. This substitution eliminates the physical effort required for precise control while maintaining high precision through electronic feedback loops.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a vacuum cleaner uses separate primary and secondary vacuum lines, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevacuum line switchingVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum cleaner is designed with a universal platform that can accommodate multiple vacuum line configurations. The self-leveling platform and diverter valve system enable the same base unit to effectively serve multiple cleaning functions and attachments without requiring separate systems for each vacuum line.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

A diverter valve is introduced as an intermediary component that manages the switching between primary and secondary vacuum lines. This single intermediary device simplifies the overall system by providing a centralized control point for routing suction flow, reducing the complexity that would otherwise result from multiple separate control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12533273B2Self leveling vacuum cleaner system, device and method

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 KING JAMES L

AI summary

The present invention is a system, device, and method for use of a steerable tractor powered unit (STPU) comprising a vacuum cleaner mounted to a self-leveling platform coupled to a tactile joystick staff operable to control said steerable tractor powered unit, considerably reducing the effort required to operate said vacuum cleaner; a variety of vacuum cleaner types are adaptable for use with said STPU.