Vacuum assemblies and methods
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Water filter vacuums require improved mechanisms for removing and cleaning the interior water reservoir, and wand assemblies with electrical connections face mechanical wear due to repeated motion, leading to reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
The vacuum design incorporates a rotatable housing with a water pan mount and biasing members, such as gas lift springs, to facilitate easy removal of the water reservoir and a biasing member system that maintains electrical contact between wand terminals, preventing sliding movement during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the housing is made fixed and non-rotatable, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of water pan removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed to be dynamically changeable between a locked fixed state (during operation) and an unlocked rotatable state (during maintenance). The latch mechanism enables this dynamic transformation, allowing the housing to switch between providing structural stability and facilitating easy water pan removal based on operational needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the electrical terminal connections are allowed to move relative to each other during cyclic use, then the adaptability to movement is improved, but the reliability of electrical contact deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A biasing member (spring) is introduced as an intermediary element between the electrical terminal connections. This spring absorbs the mechanical stress and relative motion between connectors while maintaining continuous electrical contact, thereby preserving reliability during cyclic accessory attachment and detachment operations.
3Device complexity
If the wand assembly is designed without biasing members, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of electrical contact during cyclic use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member (spring) provides self-service by automatically maintaining electrical contact between terminal connections during cyclic accessory attachment and detachment. The spring's elastic properties enable it to self-adjust and compensate for movement without requiring external intervention, ensuring reliable electrical connection throughout the product lifecycle.
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 enhances the ease of water reservoir removal and cleaning, while reducing mechanical wear on wand assemblies by maintaining consistent electrical contact, thereby increasing the lifespan of the vacuum components.
Implementation Method 1
a series of biasing members coupled to the housing and the water pan mount, wherein the series of biasing members are configured to apply rotational force to the housing about the fulcrum
Implementation Method 2
one of at least two gas lift springs, a set of compression springs, a set of extension springs, a set of torsion springs, a set of tension springs wherein each tension spring is operably coupled to opposed bars, and a constant force spring
Implementation Method 3
A biasing member is operably coupled to one of the first terminal and the second terminal, wherein, when the hollow wand is releasably coupled to the vacuum accessory, the biasing member is compressed such that the first terminal and the second terminal are maintained in mating contact with each other
Data Source
AI summary
Vacuums including a hollow wand and a vacuum accessory are provided herein. The vacuum accessory is configured to releasably couple with the hollow wand. A first terminal is disposed at a distal end of the hollow wand. A second terminal is disposed at a proximal end of the vacuum accessory. The second terminal is configured to correspondingly electrically mate with the first terminal. A biasing member is operably coupled to one of the first terminal and the second terminal, wherein, when the hollow wand is releasably coupled to the vacuum accessory, the biasing member is compressed such that the first terminal and the second terminal are maintained in mating contact with each other.