Upright Vacuum Motor Layout for Lower Weight-in-Hand
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Solution Overview
Problem
Upright vacuum cleaners often require users to support a significant portion of the weight of the device while in use, leading to fatigue and difficulty in maneuvering due to the uneven distribution of weight between the base and the upright body.
Innovation Solution
The vacuum cleaner design features a motor/fan assembly with a center of gravity positioned forward of the pivot axis in both storage and use positions, and a cantilevered motor housing that projects forwardly from the upright body, creating a counterbalancing moment of force that reduces the weight-in-hand, making it easier to maneuver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the motor/fan assembly is positioned in the upright body, then the vacuum cleaner can maintain structural stability, but the user must support a significant portion of the weight leading to fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The motor/fan assembly is strategically positioned with its center of gravity forward of the pivot axis, creating a counterbalancing moment that offsets the weight of the upright body. This counterweight arrangement reduces the net moment that the user must support, thereby reducing fatigue while preserving structural stability.
2Device complexity
If the motor housing is positioned centrally, then the design is simplified, but the weight distribution becomes unfavorable for user comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The motor housing is designed with an asymmetric cantilevered configuration that projects forwardly from the upright body, positioning the motor/fan assembly forward of the pivot axis. This asymmetric arrangement creates a beneficial counterbalancing moment that improves weight distribution and user comfort, while the overall design remains relatively simple.
3Weight of moving object
If the motor/fan assembly center of gravity is positioned backward of the pivot axis, then the upright body weight is reduced, but the moment of force increases making it harder to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The motor/fan assembly is positioned with its center of gravity forward of the pivot axis, creating a counterbalancing moment that offsets the moment generated by the upright body weight. This counterweight arrangement allows the system to maintain a favorable balance between weight reduction and moment of force, improving maneuverability.
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 significantly reduces the perceived weight of the upright body during use, enhancing user comfort and reducing fatigue by offsetting the moment of force applied by the upright body, allowing for easier handling and improved cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The motor/fan assembly has a center of gravity that is located forwardly of the pivot axis in both the storage position and the reclined use position
Implementation Method 2
creating a counterbalancing moment of force that reduces the weight-in-hand
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner includes an upright body and a base carrying a suction nozzle that is pivotally coupled with the upright body for movement between at least a storage position and a reclined use position. A motor is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and is mounted in the upright body in a configuration that partially offsets the weight-in-hand of the upright assembly as perceived by a user of the vacuum cleaner.