Telescopic pipe device and cleaning appliance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaners lack a simple and efficient mechanism for adjusting the length of their tubes, requiring multiple actuating elements and compromising ease of use and compactness.
Innovation Solution
A length-adjustable tube device with a cascade-like structure, utilizing three tubes where each tube is slidably positioned within the next, with locking devices that allow automatic adjustment through positional control or force, eliminating the need for separate actuating elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple locking devices are provided for each tube section, then the tube device achieves reliable length adjustment and locking, but the device complexity increases and requires multiple actuating elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple locking devices into a single integrated locking mechanism that can simultaneously control multiple tube sections. The locking device includes a locking element that can engage with multiple locking surfaces on different tube sections, allowing one actuating element to control the entire telescopic structure rather than requiring separate actuators for each section.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple locking operations simultaneously. The single locking mechanism can lock and unlock different tube sections at different positions, replacing what would traditionally require multiple specialized locking devices and actuators.
2Ease of operation
If multiple actuating elements are provided for each tube section, then precise control of each section is achieved, but the ease of operation deteriorates and the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple actuating elements into a single actuating mechanism. This single actuator controls the locking element's movement, which in turn controls the locking state of multiple tube sections simultaneously, greatly simplifying the user interface and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage tube sections based on the position of the single actuating element. When the actuator moves to a specific position, the locking element automatically locks or unlocks the appropriate tube sections without requiring the user to manually operate multiple separate controls.
3Volume of moving object
If the tube device is made compact for storage, then the volume is reduced, but the length adjustment range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a telescopic tube structure where multiple tube sections are nested within each other. When retracted, the tubes form a compact nested arrangement minimizing storage volume. When extended, the tubes can be pulled out sequentially to achieve a wide length adjustment range, effectively resolving the contradiction between compact storage and extended reach.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a longitudinal-adjustable pipe apparatus for a cleaning device (10), comprising at least one first pipe (46), one second pipe (48), one third pipe (52), wherein the first pipe (46) is guided in the second pipe (48) in a longitudinal-adjustable manner and the second pipe (48) is guided in the third pipe (52) in a longitudinal-adjustable manner, a first locking apparatus (240), which acts between the first pipe (46) and the second pipe (48), wherein, in a releasable locking position of the first locking apparatus (240), the first pipe (46) is fixed to the second pipe (48) in respect of a longitudinal adjustability, a second locking apparatus (242), which acts between the second pipe (48) and the third pipe (52), wherein, in a releasable locking position of the second locking apparatus (242), the second pipe (48) is fixed to the third pipe (52) in respect of a longitudinal adjustability, and a third locking apparatus (244), which acts on the first pipe (46), the second pipe (48), and the third pipe (52), wherein the third locking apparatus (244) has a releasable locking position, in which the second pipe (48) is fixed to the third pipe (52) in respect of a longitudinal adjustability, and has a locking position, in which a longitudinal adjustment of the second pipe (48) to the third pipe (52) is released, wherein the third locking apparatus (244) is controlled, in respect of the transition from the locking position to the unlocking position, by a position of the first pipe (46) relative to the second pipe (48) and/or by a force by means of which the third locking apparatus (244) acts on the second pipe (48).