Vacuum Cleaner Pivoting Handle Design for Compact Storage Footprint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Upright-type vacuum cleaners occupy more space when stored due to the protruding handle, which increases the device's footprint and makes storage less compact.
Innovation Solution
The handle is coupled to the cleaner housing at a pivot joint that rotates about a non-perpendicular pivot axis, allowing the handle to fold conically and be stored adjacent to the housing without protruding, using a pivot joint with offset angles and a locking mechanism for easy operation and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the handle is coupled to the cleaner housing at a pivot joint that rotates about a non-perpendicular pivot axis, then the handle can be stored adjacent to the housing without protruding, but the device complexity increases due to the offset angles and locking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed with a pivot joint that allows dynamic movement between operating and storage positions. The pivot axis is oriented at a non-perpendicular angle to enable the handle to fold conically, transitioning from a protruding vertical position to a compact position adjacent to the housing, thereby reducing the footprint while maintaining operational functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot joint is divided into distinct functional components: the pivot axis mechanism that enables conical folding and the locking mechanism that secures the handle in position. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the pivot axis for compact storage and the locking mechanism for operational stability.
2Volume of moving object
If the handle is designed to fold conically about a non-perpendicular pivot axis, then the storage compactness is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the offset angles
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage with the pivot joint when the handle is rotated to the storage position, and to automatically disengage when returned to the operating position. This self-service feature eliminates the need for manual locking or unlocking operations, maintaining ease of use despite the complex conical folding motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot joint is designed with specific offset angles that optimize the conical folding path. By carefully selecting these angular parameters, the handle achieves compact storage volume while the locking mechanism compensates for the non-perpendicular orientation to maintain operational ease.
Data Source
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AI summary
A surface cleaning device generally includes a nozzle, a cleaner housing connected to the nozzle, and a handle coupled to the cleaner housing at a pivot joint. The cleaner housing defines a longitudinal axis. The pivot joint is configured to rotatably store the handle at a position offset from the longitudinal axis.