Suction assembly provided with a partially spherical device for waste separation and collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum cleaner housings with partially spherical shapes face challenges in integrating components due to the significant size of the waste separation and collection device, leading to oversizing or increased pressure losses.

Innovation Solution

A sled-type suction assembly with a waste separation and collection device positioned off-center, featuring a movable bowl lid and omnidirectional wheels, allowing components to be arranged efficiently within the housing without increasing its size, and ensuring optimal sealing and handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the waste separation and collection device is integrated into a vacuum cleaner housing with a generally spherical shape, then the vacuum cleaner can achieve a compact and aesthetically pleasing design, but this leads to increased pressure losses due to convoluted fluid connections and non-optimized component arrangement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespherical housing shapeVSAvoidpressure losses
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the waste separation and collection device asymmetrically within the spherical housing, specifically placing it in a lower portion rather than centrally or symmetrically. This asymmetric arrangement allows for more direct and less convoluted fluid connections, reducing pressure losses while maintaining the spherical external shape for compactness and aesthetics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Quantity of substance

If the waste separation and collection device is made large enough to effectively collect waste, then waste collection capacity is improved, but the overall size of the vacuum cleaner housing must be increased to accommodate it

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste collection capacityVSAvoidhousing volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The waste separation and collection device is nested within the spherical housing in an optimized configuration. The bowl-shaped waste collection container is positioned in the lower portion of the housing, allowing it to be contained within the spherical envelope without requiring additional external volume. This nesting approach maximizes waste collection capacity while maintaining a compact spherical form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the waste separation and collection device is positioned centrally in the housing, then structural balance is improved, but fluid and electrical connections to other components become non-optimized and more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural balanceVSAvoidconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent deliberately positions the waste separation and collection device asymmetrically in the lower portion of the housing rather than centrally. This asymmetric positioning, while potentially affecting structural balance, significantly simplifies fluid and electrical connections to the suction unit and other components, reducing overall system complexity and improving manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 easy integration of components within a partially spherical vacuum cleaner housing, reducing pressure losses and facilitating component arrangement while maintaining sealing integrity and user-friendly handling.

Implementation Method 1

a suction unit disposed on the air circuit, the suction unit comprising an electric motor and a fan coupled to the electric motor to generate an airflow in the air circuit from the suction nozzle to at least one exhaust port

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow generation:

Implementation Method 2

a waste separation and collection device which is arranged on the air circuit upstream of the suction unit and through which the airflow generated by the fan passes when the suction assembly is in operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentEP4039149B1Suction assembly provided with a partially spherical device for waste separation and collection
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 SEB SA
  • EP4039149B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4039149B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4039149B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The suction assembly (1) comprises a suction unit housing (3) having a partially spherical outer surface (4); a suction unit; a waste separation and collection device (8) comprising a waste collection bowl (11) and a bowl cover (14); and first and second main wheels mounted to rotate relative to the suction unit housing (3). The waste collection bowl (11) has a partially spherical outer surface (110) accessible from outside the suction assembly (1). When the suction assembly (1) is in operation, the outer surface of the bowl (110) and the outer surface of the housing (4) partially form a generally spherical assembly.