Vacuum cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaners with large wheels have limited internal space due to the central axle bearing, restricting the accommodation of additional components.

Innovation Solution

The vacuum cleaner features wheels mounted eccentrically, allowing the internal space to be utilized for other components, with a ring wheel design and a U-shaped wheel guide for easy mounting and stable support, enabling a compact and maneuverable device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the wheel diameter is increased to overcome obstacles easily, then the maneuverability is improved, but the space available for axle bearing increases, reducing the space for other components

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidspace for components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel is mounted eccentrically on the housing, positioned outside the axis of rotation rather than at the center. This asymmetric mounting allows the wheel to rotate smoothly while minimizing the space required for the axle bearing, thereby preserving internal volume for other vacuum cleaner components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If the wheel is mounted with a central axle bearing, then the wheel rotation is stable, but the space inside the wheel is blocked, limiting component placement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel rotation stabilityVSAvoidinternal wheel space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The axle bearing is extracted from the central position and relocated to an eccentric position outside the wheel's center of rotation. This removes the obstruction from the wheel's internal space while maintaining stable rotation through the offset bearing arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Volume of moving object

If the wheel is mounted eccentrically, then the internal space is available for other components, but the mounting complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent spaceVSAvoidmounting structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel guide structure serves multiple functions: it provides the mounting interface for the eccentric wheel, guides the wheel's rotation path, and supports the axle bearing. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall mounting structure despite the eccentric configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3616581B1Vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP3616581B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3616581B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3616581B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner (1) for cleaning and maintaining floor surfaces with a housing (2) and at least one wheel (3) mounted on the housing (2) for supporting the housing (2) from the floor surface, wherein the wheel (3) is mounted off-center on the housing (2).