Upright Cyclonic Handheld Vacuum Layout for Stable Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Handheld vacuum cleaners with cyclonic separators often suffer from instability and reduced performance due to their horizontal orientation, which affects their capacity to collect dirt and dust, and are not conveniently stable for storage.

Innovation Solution

A handheld cleaning appliance with a cyclonic separator oriented in an upright configuration, featuring a combined base surface from the main body and cyclonic separator, with the motor and battery unit positioned above the base surface to enhance stability, allowing the appliance to be stably supported without increasing its overall size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the cyclonic separator is arranged in a horizontal direction, then the appliance can be compact in size, but the capacity to collect dirt and dust is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappliance sizeVSAvoiddirt and dust collection capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cyclonic separator is inverted from the conventional horizontal orientation to an upright orientation. This inversion allows the cyclonic separator to achieve its full dirt and dust collection capacity while maintaining a compact appliance design through the shared base surface between the cyclonic separator and main body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If the cyclonic separator is arranged in an upright configuration, then the capacity to collect dirt and dust is improved, but the appliance becomes unstable when balanced on the base surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirt and dust collection capacityVSAvoidappliance stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The base surface of the cyclonic separator and the base surface of the main body are merged to form a single, larger combined base surface. This merging provides a substantial support area that stabilizes the upright appliance, preventing it from toppling while maintaining the upright configuration necessary for optimal cyclonic separation performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base surfaces of the cyclonic separator and main body are arranged in different spatial dimensions/planes, with the main body base surface extending beyond the cyclonic separator base surface. This dimensional arrangement creates a stepped configuration that maximizes the overall base area without increasing the height or footprint in a single plane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the base surface is increased to improve stability, then the appliance becomes more stable, but the size of the appliance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebase surface stabilityVSAvoidappliance size

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The main body base surface serves dual functions: it provides structural support for the main body components and contributes to the combined base surface area for stability. This multi-functionality allows the base surface to serve both structural and stabilizing purposes without requiring additional dedicated base surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The upright orientation and combined base surface provide improved stability and capacity for dirt and dust collection, making the appliance more convenient to use and store, as it maintains balance and reduces strain on the user's wrist during operation.

Implementation Method 1

a separation device such as a filter or bag for separating dirt and dust from the incoming airflow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

cyclonic separation systems which are capable of removing larger items of debris from the airflow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP2043493B1Handheld cleaning appliance

Publication Date: 2013.02.20 DYSON TECH LTD

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AI summary

The invention provides a handheld cleaning appliance (10) comprising a main body (12), a dirty air inlet (18), a clean air outlet (24) and a cyclonic separator (100) for separating dirt and dust from an airflow located in an airflow path leading from the air inlet (18) to the air outlet (24). The cyclonic separator (100) is arranged in a generally upright orientation. A base surface (172) of the main body (12) and a base surface (174) of the cyclonic separator (100) together form a base surface of the appliance (10) for supporting the appliance (10) on a surface. By providing a base surface of the appliance (10), which is made up of the base surface (172) of the main body (12) and the base surface (174) of the cyclonic separator (100), the appliance (10) is provided with a substantial base surface on which the appliance (10) can be stably and reliably supported. This is also achieved without substantially increasing the size of the appliance (10) as a whole.