Shielded Charging Tray Contacts for Cordless Surface Cleaners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-surface vacuum cleaners lack a cordless and efficient solution for cleaning various surfaces, including hard and soft floors, with integrated fluid delivery and recovery systems, and do not provide a convenient charging mechanism for rechargeable batteries.
Innovation Solution
A cordless surface cleaning apparatus with a housing containing a suction source, a rechargeable battery, and a charging unit integrated into a storage tray for easy charging, along with a fluid delivery and recovery system that includes a clean tank, dirty tank, and a suction nozzle assembly for effective cleaning and fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rechargeable battery is integrated into the housing for cordless operation, then mobility and operational flexibility are improved, but the device requires a charging mechanism that increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The charging unit is merged with the storage tray, combining two functions (charging and storage) into a single integrated structure. The tray body houses the charging unit with charging contacts that automatically engage with the battery when the apparatus is placed on the tray, eliminating the need for a separate charging device or complex charging procedures.
2Ease of operation
If a charging unit is integrated into the storage tray, then charging convenience is improved, but the tray structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The storage tray is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a storage container for the cleaning apparatus and as a charging unit. The tray body includes charging contacts that automatically connect to the battery when the apparatus is placed on the tray, allowing the same structure to perform dual functions without requiring separate charging equipment.
3Productivity
If fluid delivery and recovery systems are integrated into the housing, then cleaning effectiveness on various surfaces is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid delivery and recovery systems are merged into a single integrated housing structure. The clean tank stores cleaning fluid, the pump delivers it through spray nozzles, and the recovery system collects spent fluid, all within the same housing that contains the battery and motor. This integration allows multi-surface cleaning capability while maintaining a unified, manageable device structure.
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
Enables efficient cordless operation with integrated fluid management for cleaning various surfaces and convenient battery charging, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a rechargeable battery mounted within the housing and electrically coupled to the suction source
Implementation Method 2
a suction source, a suction nozzle assembly provided on the housing and defining a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the suction source
Data Source
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AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus (10, 2010, 3010) adapted for movement across a surface to be cleaned. The surface cleaning apparatus (10, 2010, 3010) can dock within a storage tray (900, 2900, 3380) and charge a power supply (22, 2022, 3472). Electrical contacts (936, 2936, 3382, 946, 2946, 3382) on the surface cleaning apparatus (10, 2010, 3010) and the storage tray (900, 2900, 3380) can be shielded when the surface cleaning apparatus (10, 2010, 3010) is not docked within the storage tray (900, 2900, 3380). Furthermore, the storage tray (900, 2900, 3380) can include a reservoir (926, 2936, 3410) for a self-cleaning mode.