Surface cleaning apparatus with a sideways pivoting handle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Upright vacuum cleaners face challenges in steering and maneuverability, particularly when the upright section is reclined, as existing designs do not effectively allow for lateral movement or proper alignment of the cleaning head during use.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a pivotally mounted upright section that can move sideways about a pivot axis angled downwardly, allowing the handle to steer the cleaning head even when reclined, with optional biasing members like springs to return the section to a centered position and pivot limiters to prevent excessive lateral movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the upright section is permitted to rotate about its longitudinal axis to assist steering, then the steerability of the cleaning head is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional pivot mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the steering function and the upright section rotation function into a single pivot mechanism. The upright section is pivotally mounted to the cleaning head at a location forward of the cleaning head's longitudinal centerline, allowing the handle to steer the cleaning head while the upright section simultaneously rotates about its longitudinal axis. This merging of functions reduces device complexity while maintaining improved steerability.
2Ease of operation
If the upright section is moved to a rearward in-use position to improve maneuverability, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability of the apparatus deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The upright section is pre-configured with a pivotal mounting location forward of the cleaning head's longitudinal centerline. This preliminary positioning allows the upright section to naturally rotate about its longitudinal axis as it moves to the rearward in-use position, improving maneuverability while the forward pivot location provides a stabilizing counterbalance that prevents excessive instability.
3Ease of operation
If the pivot axis is positioned above the first axis of rotation, then the sideways pivoting effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional pivot axes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rotation function into two independent axes: a first axis of rotation that allows the upright section to move between upright and rearward positions, and a second pivot axis positioned above the first axis that enables sideways pivoting of the upright section. This segmentation allows each axis to perform its specific function independently, improving sideways pivoting effectiveness while keeping the overall mechanism manageable through clear functional separation.
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 design enhances steerability and maneuverability by enabling lateral movement of the upright section while maintaining effective cleaning, reducing user effort and preventing inefficiencies due to excessive lateral movement.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member biasing the upright section towards the centered position
Data Source
AI summary
An upright surface cleaning apparatus, such as an upright vacuum cleaner, is provided wherein the upright section is moveable sideways about a pivot axis wherein the pivot axis is angled forwardly and downwardly. In other embodiments, a surface cleaning head is provided which is moveable sideways and is biased to the centered position. In other embodiments, a surface cleaning head is moveable sideways and is provided with a detent mechanism to inhibit sideways movement when in the storage position. In other embodiments, a surface cleaning apparatus is also provided which alternately uses a cleaning head adapted to receive a cloth or a traditional surface cleaning head.