Vacuum Cleaner Drawer Mechanism for Integrated Accessory Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaners face difficulties in user-friendly and safe operation due to cumbersome handling of accessories, which are often stored separately and require complex methods for access.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum cleaner with a drawer element and a method for opening and closing it, featuring a coordinated geometry between the holding and locking elements, a drive element with a spring for constant movement, and a telescopic rail arrangement for linear guidance, allowing for easy access and storage of accessories.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If accessories are stored separately from the vacuum cleaner, then the vacuum cleaner structure is simpler, but handling and access to accessories becomes difficult and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevacuum cleaner structureVSAvoidaccessory handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the accessory storage function with the vacuum cleaner body by integrating a drawer element into the housing. This merging allows accessories to be stored within the vacuum cleaner structure itself, eliminating the need for separate storage while maintaining easy access through the drawer mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If accessories are integrated into the vacuum cleaner housing, then accessory access is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessory accessVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the vacuum cleaner housing into functional zones including a drawer element for accessory storage, a working zone for vacuum operations, and a storage zone. This segmentation organizes components logically, improving accessibility while maintaining overall structural coherence and manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drawer element is designed as a dynamic component that can move between closed and open positions along a guided path. This dynamic design allows easy access to accessories when needed while maintaining a compact integrated structure during normal operation, balancing accessibility with structural efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If the drawer element moves quickly, then operation speed is improved, but control and safety during operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrawer movement speedVSAvoiddrawer control
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a drive element as an intermediary mechanism between the user's opening action and the drawer element. This drive element provides controlled movement along a defined path, ensuring safe and manageable operation speeds while maintaining smooth drawer movement. The drive element acts as a mediator that translates user input into controlled drawer motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If the drawer element is easily accessible, then user convenience is improved, but the risk of unintended operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrawer accessibilityVSAvoidoperation safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a locking element that must be actively released before the drawer element can move. This preliminary locking action prevents unintended opening while maintaining easy access through the simple release mechanism. The locking element ensures the drawer remains secure during transport and operation, requiring deliberate user action to open.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 simple, user-friendly, and safe operation by providing trouble-free access to accessories with automatic opening and closing mechanisms, ensuring constant speed and regulated movement of the drawer element.

Implementation Method 1

the drive element comprises a spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3689210B1Vacuum cleaner with drawer
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 PRO AQUA INT
  • EP3689210B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3689210B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3689210B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

Vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner housing (1) and a drawer mechanism (2) for moving a drawer along a distance (A), wherein the drawer mechanism comprises a drawer element (3), at least one guide device, at least one drive element (5) and a locking element (6).