Surface cleaning apparatus configurable in a storage position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface cleaning apparatuses, such as hand vacuum cleaners, face instability issues when stored, as the center of gravity can cause them to fall over, leading to potential damage and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
The surface cleaning apparatus is designed with a support structure that allows the cleaning unit to be moved between an inclined and upright position, and when not in use, it can be configured into a storage position where the cleaning unit is mounted on a storage mount, altering the center of gravity to enhance stability, using a storage mount on the support structure and a mounting member on the cleaning unit to secure it without the need for additional locking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the cleaning unit is detached and stored separately, then stability during storage is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional mounting structures
Solution Approach 1:
The storage mount is integrated into the support structure, combining the support function with the storage function. The mounting member on the cleaning unit engages with features already present in the support structure, merging multiple functions into existing components rather than adding separate dedicated storage mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The gravity-based retention system uses the weight of the cleaning unit itself to maintain engagement with the storage mount. The design leverages the natural gravitational force acting on the cleaning unit to automatically secure it during storage, eliminating the need for active locking mechanisms or additional retention forces.
2Ease of operation
If a gravity-based retention system is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability may be reduced compared to locked systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the weight of the cleaning unit itself to maintain engagement with the storage mount. The design leverages the natural gravitational force acting on the cleaning unit to automatically secure it during storage, eliminating the need for active locking mechanisms or additional retention forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting member and storage mount interface acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates the gravitational force into a reliable retention connection. The geometric design of the engagement features ensures that gravity produces a consistent and predictable holding force during normal storage conditions.
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
This configuration improves the stability of the surface cleaning apparatus during storage, preventing it from falling over and reducing the risk of damage or safety hazards, while allowing for easy mounting and dismounting without the need for complex locking systems.
Implementation Method 1
the mounting member and storage mount may be configured to retain the cleaning unit on the support structure solely due to the influence of gravity
Data Source
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AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus may include a surface cleaning head having a dirty air inlet and a support structure moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head. A cleaning unit having an air flow path extending from a cleaning unit air inlet to a clean air outlet, a suction motor and a cyclone chamber provided in the airflow path, and a dirt collection chamber may be configured so that the cleaning unit air inlet is detachably connectab!e to the support structure to fluidly connect the dirty air inlet. The apparatus can be configured in a use configuration, in which the cleaning unit air inlet is connected to the support structure, and a storage configuration in which the cleaning unit air inlet is disconnected from the dirty air inlet and the cleaning unit is mounted on at least one of the support structure and the surface cleaning head.