Surface cleaning apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaning apparatuses, such as vacuum cleaners, face challenges in efficiently retaining and removing debris due to the entrainment of debris within the air flowing through the dust cup, leading to incomplete cleaning and potential clogging issues.
Innovation Solution
The surface cleaning apparatus includes a body latch and wand latch system that allows for the removable coupling of cleaning accessories, such as a wand and surface cleaning head, which are fluidly coupled to the suction motor and dust cup, enabling effective debris entrapment and easy accessory exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If air flows through the dust cup to carry debris, then debris can be transported from the inlet to the dust cup, but debris becomes entrained in the air flow making complete separation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful effect of air flow by introducing a separate air outlet that allows air to exit the dust cup independently from the debris collection path. This separation enables the air to be removed from the system without carrying entrained debris back into the cleaning path, thereby improving debris separation completeness while maintaining effective debris transport through the suction flow.
2Stability of the object's composition
If cleaning accessories are permanently attached to the vacuum cleaner, then structural stability is maintained, but accessory exchange and maintenance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vacuum cleaner system into separable components by providing a detachable coupling mechanism between the cleaner body and cleaning accessories. The air outlet is positioned to facilitate this separation, allowing accessories to be easily removed and replaced while maintaining structural stability during use. This segmentation enables independent maintenance of accessories without affecting the core vacuum cleaner unit.
3Productivity
If the dust cup is designed to capture all debris, then cleaning effectiveness increases, but the risk of clogging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a separate air outlet as an intermediary pathway that diverts air flow away from the debris collection chamber. This mediator allows the dust cup to maintain high debris capture efficiency while preventing excessive air pressure buildup that could cause clogging. The air outlet acts as a pressure relief mechanism, enabling the system to handle high volumes of debris without increasing clogging risk.
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 configuration enhances debris removal efficiency by ensuring that debris is effectively drawn into the dust cup and allows for easy maintenance and accessory management, improving the overall cleaning performance and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a suction motor disposed between the handle end and the attachment end... configured to cause air to be drawn through the cleaner inlet and into the dust cup
Implementation Method 2
Air flowing into the dust cup may have debris entrained therein. At least a portion of the entrained debris may fall out of entrainment when passing through the dust cup
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner may include a body having a handle end and an attachment end, the attachment end being opposite the handle end along a longitudinal axis of the body, a dust cup disposed between the handle end and the attachment end, a suction motor disposed between the handle end and the attachment end, a body latch configured to releasably engage an accessory, and a body toggle configured to cause the body latch to transition between a releasing position and a retaining position, the body toggle being positioned closer to the handle end than the attachment end.