Vacuum Cleaner Accessory with Flexible Side Elements for Edge Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum cleaners, particularly those with rotating brushes, struggle to effectively clean the edges of surfaces near upright objects like walls due to the width of the cleaning head, requiring multiple passes or additional tools for thorough cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner accessory with flexible cleaning elements that can switch between disengaged and cleaning positions, coupled with a rotatable cleaning bar and brushes, allows for efficient edge cleaning by engaging the surface parallel to upright surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a wide floor cleaning head is used to clean floors efficiently, then the cleaning area is improved, but the ability to clean edges near walls deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is divided into multiple functional segments: a main cleaning head for general floor cleaning and flexible side cleaning elements for edge cleaning. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specialized function effectively without interfering with the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The side cleaning elements are designed to be flexible and movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position. They can engage with walls during edge cleaning and disengage during general floor cleaning, adapting to different cleaning scenarios automatically.
2Ease of operation
If additional cleaning tools are added to clean edges, then the edge cleaning ability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The edge cleaning function is merged into the main cleaning head assembly. The flexible side cleaning elements are integrated with the housing and work in conjunction with the main cleaning brush, eliminating the need for separate crevice tools or additional accessories.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device achieves multi-functionality by combining general floor cleaning and edge cleaning capabilities in a single accessory. The housing and side cleaning elements are designed to perform both functions, reducing the need for multiple specialized tools.
3Area of stationary object
If robotic vacuum cleaners have side brushes for edge cleaning, then the edge cleaning coverage is improved, but the cleaning effectiveness deteriorates due to insufficient motor power
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible side cleaning elements act as intermediaries that guide dirt toward the main cleaning brush and airflow path. Rather than relying on the side elements to pickup all dirt independently, they work as mediators to direct debris into the main suction stream where the full motor power can effectively remove it.
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
Enables simultaneous and thorough cleaning of edges and surfaces without the need for additional passes or tools, enhancing cleaning efficiency and effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged to flex from the disengaged position to the cleaning position when a force is applied to the at least one flexible cleaning element in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the rotatable cleaning brush
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A cleaning accessory for a vacuum cleaner comprises a housing. At least one rotatable cleaning brush is rotatably mounted to the housing and configured to engage a surface to be cleaned. The at least one rotatable cleaning brush comprises at least one flexible cleaning element projecting outwards from a side of the housing. The at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged to rotate in a cleaning position and rotate in a disengaged position whereby the at last one flexible cleaning element engages the surface to be cleaned when rotating in the cleaning position and the at last one flexible cleaning element is remote from the surface to be cleaned when rotating in the disengaged position.