Vacuum Cleaner Modular Docking Interface for Accessory Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wet/dry vacuum cleaners have separate components for debris collection and airflow generation, which can be cumbersome and inefficient in terms of usability and connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner design featuring a power head with a docking interface and connection elements that allow for releasable attachment of accessories, including a container with a blower assembly that draws dust and debris into the container volume, and a handle recessed below the docking plane for easy manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate power head and container design is used, then the vacuum cleaner can perform wet/dry vacuuming functions, but the usability and connectivity between components become cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum cleaner is divided into separate functional modules: a power head containing the blower assembly, a container for debris collection, and interchangeable accessories. These segmented components can be independently attached and detached through connection interfaces, allowing the system to maintain versatility for different vacuuming tasks while improving ease of operation through modular assembly and disassembly.
2Ease of operation
If multiple connection elements are provided on the docking interface, then accessories can be releasably attached with optimized connectivity, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The docking interface incorporates multiple connection elements (lugs, tabs, or protrusions) that serve universal attachment functions for various accessories. These standardized connection elements enable a single interface design to accommodate different accessory types (containers, power heads, tools) while maintaining consistent attachment and detachment operations, thereby improving ease of use without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the handle is recessed below the docking plane, then the handle remains accessible when accessories are attached, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is positioned in a recessed location below the primary docking plane, utilizing a different spatial dimension (vertical depth) to resolve the accessibility issue. This dimensional relocation allows the handle to remain accessible for operation even when accessories are attached to the docking interface above, while the recessed positioning can be achieved through standard manufacturing techniques without excessive precision requirements.
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
Enhances usability by allowing easy attachment and detachment of accessories, maintaining handle accessibility, and optimizing the connection interface for efficient airflow and debris transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a blower assembly at least partially positioned within the power head volume, and configured to draw dust and debris into the container volume
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner including a power head having a power head housing at least partially enclosing a power head volume therein, a blower assembly at least partially positioned within the power head volume, and a docking interface including a plurality of connection elements. Where each connection element of the plurality of connection elements is configured to form a releasable connection with an accessory.