Vacuum cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vacuum cleaners face inefficiencies in dirt and debris collection due to restricted air flow, blockages from larger debris, and limited cleaning performance in battery-powered models, which are exacerbated by the design of air flow ducts and suction power measurements.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner design featuring a full-width, tangentially oriented air flow duct, a large dirt-collection chamber, and a dual-stiffness brush system, with a motor configuration that prioritizes power to the brush and impeller for enhanced cleaning efficiency, and a filter arrangement that minimizes turbulence and blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a restricted air flow duct is used to force air underneath the wall, then suction power is improved, but cleaning efficiency deteriorates because air flow does not effectively dislodge dirt and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the air flow parameters by increasing air flow rate while reducing suction pressure. The air flow duct is designed to allow higher air flow (measured in CFM) at lower suction levels, fundamentally altering the operating parameters from traditional high-suction/low-flow designs to high-flow/low-suction designs, thereby improving cleaning efficiency without sacrificing power
2Power
If a small air flow duct is used to maximize suction, then impeller efficiency is improved, but the ability to dislodge dirt and debris deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the operating parameters by designing the air flow duct to optimize for high air flow rate rather than high suction pressure. The duct cross-sectional area and geometry are specifically designed to maintain high air flow velocities that effectively dislodge and transport dirt and debris, reversing the traditional parameter optimization approach
3Duration of action of moving object
If battery power is limited, then operating cycle is extended, but cleaning performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the power utilization parameters by operating at lower suction pressures which consume less electrical power from the battery. The high air flow rate is achieved more efficiently at lower power consumption levels, extending battery operating cycle while maintaining effective cleaning performance through optimized air flow dynamics rather than high-power suction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical suction-based system with an air flow-based system. Instead of relying on high suction pressure to lift and transport debris, the system uses high-velocity air flow that mechanically propels debris through the duct, reducing power consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
4Productivity
If larger debris is pushed along by the leading edge, then collection is improved, but blockages in ducts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the air flow parameters by increasing air flow velocity and volume through the duct. The larger cross-sectional area of the air flow duct combined with high air flow rate creates sufficient air pressure and velocity to lift and transport larger debris items through the duct without them becoming lodged or blocking the passage
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 achieves higher dirt collection efficiency than mains powered vacuum cleaners using less than 10% of their electrical power, with improved handling of larger debris and reduced blockages, while maintaining effective cleaning on both hard floors and carpets.
Implementation Method 1
The brush is rotated and engages the surface which is being cleaned. The brush helps to dislodge dirt and debris from the surface
Implementation Method 2
Vacuum cleaners have a motor which typically drives an impeller to create a flow of air. The air transports the dirt and debris by way of ducts
Implementation Method 3
The air then passes through one or more filters before leaving the vacuum cleaner, the filters being arranged to trap the dirt and debris within the dirt-collection chamber
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner (10), and in particular a vacuum cleaner (10) having a rotatable brush (24). The vacuum cleaner (10) has a travelling head (12) adapted to be moved across a surface to be cleaned, the travelling head (12) having a leading end (28) and a trailing end. The travelling head (12) has a rotatable brush (24), the rotatable brush (34) being located in a brush chamber (23) at the leading end of the travelling head (12), the brush chamber (34) having an opening (26) through which a part of the rotatable brush (24) projects, the opening (26) and the rotatable brush (24) spanning substantially the full width of the travelling head (12). The travelling head (12) also has an impeller (46), and a motor (34) for driving the rotatable brush (34) and the impeller (46). The travelling head (12) has a removable dirt-collection chamber (42) spanning substantially the full width of the travelling head, and a filter means (52) located between the dirt-collection chamber (42) and the impeller (46), the filter means (52) also spanning substantially the full width of the travelling head.