Upright Vacuum Alignment Locking for Stable Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Upright vacuum cleaners lack stability in storage positions due to improper orientation of the upper section, leading to potential tipping or falling, and existing solutions require manual locking mechanisms that can be forgotten, causing damage when transitioning to floor cleaning positions.
Innovation Solution
An anti-rotation locking mechanism and alignment mechanism are integrated into the vacuum cleaner design, allowing the upper section to be automatically secured in a stable storage position and easily transitioned to a floor cleaning position without manual intervention, using cam members and abutment surfaces to guide and lock the upper section into proper alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the upper section is made rotatable relative to the surface cleaning head, then the vacuum cleaner can be positioned in different orientations for storage and use, but the vacuum cleaner becomes unstable in storage positions and may tip or fall over
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment mechanism performs preliminary action by guiding the upper section into the correct orientation before the anti-rotation locking mechanism engages. The cam members and abutment surfaces pre-position the upper section in the proper alignment, ensuring that when locking occurs, the vacuum cleaner is already in a stable storage configuration with the center of gravity properly positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The combined alignment and locking mechanism is self-service in that it automatically guides and secures the upper section without requiring manual intervention. As the user moves the vacuum cleaner to a storage position, the cam members and abutment surfaces automatically align the upper section and engage the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for separate manual locking actions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a manual locking mechanism is used to secure the upper section in storage position, then the vacuum cleaner can be stabilized, but the mechanism can be forgotten or overlooked, causing damage when transitioning to floor cleaning positions
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation locking mechanism is self-service because it automatically engages and disengages based on the position of the upper section. When the upper section is moved to the storage position, the cam members and abutment surfaces automatically trigger the locking action. Conversely, when transitioning to the floor cleaning position, the mechanism automatically releases, eliminating the risk of forgetting to unlock.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism performs preliminary action by pre-positioning the upper section through the alignment mechanism before locking occurs. The cam members guide the upper section into proper alignment as it approaches the storage position, ensuring that locking only engages when correctly positioned, thereby preventing premature or incorrect locking that could cause operational issues.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the upper section is secured in a fixed orientation during storage, then stability is improved, but the mechanism becomes more complex requiring additional locking and alignment components
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment mechanism and anti-rotation locking mechanism are merged into a single integrated system. The cam members serve dual functions: they guide the upper section into alignment during the approach to storage position and simultaneously trigger the locking action through their interaction with the abutment surfaces. This combination eliminates the need for separate alignment and locking mechanisms, reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam members and abutment surfaces perform multiple functions within the same structural components. The cam members provide both alignment guidance and locking activation, while the abutment surfaces serve as both alignment references and locking engagement points. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall mechanism.
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 solution ensures the vacuum cleaner remains stable in storage and can be easily converted to a floor cleaning position without manual locking, preventing accidental damage and ensuring user safety by maintaining the upper section's alignment and stability.
Implementation Method 1
cam members and abutment surfaces to guide and lock the upper section into proper alignment
Implementation Method 2
alignment mechanism comprises a first cooperating alignment member associated with the surface cleaning head and a second cooperating alignment member associated with the upper section
Implementation Method 3
anti-rotation locking mechanism that is engaged, and preferably automatically engaged, when the support structure is moved in the storage position
Data Source
AI summary
An upright surface cleaning apparatus has an upper section that is moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between an in use position and a storage position. The upper section is rotationally mounted to the surface cleaning head. The upright surface cleaning apparatus has an alignment mechanism comprising a first cooperating alignment member associated with the surface cleaning head and a second cooperating alignment member associated with the upper section, the first and second members guiding the upper section to a particular orientation or range of orientations when the upper section is moved into the storage position.