Vacuum cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld vacuum cleaners experience lateral flex between the main body and cyclonic separator, indicating mechanical weakness, and the existing mechanism for emptying the cyclonic separator is not user-friendly, requiring multiple steps and actuators.
Innovation Solution
A single user-operable actuator that sequentially opens the bin door and disengages the dirt collector from the separating apparatus, allowing for simplified and space-efficient operation, addressing both the interface strength and user-friendliness issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a latch and catch mechanism is used to join the main body and cyclonic separator, then the connection can be easily released by the user, but lateral flex between the components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the latch mechanism and catch mechanism into a single integrated assembly where the latch is mounted on the catch. This merging allows the two functions (latching and catching) to work together to provide both strong connection and easy release without requiring separate mechanisms that would increase lateral flex.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotational dimension to the release mechanism. Instead of pulling or pushing the cyclonic separator laterally to release it, the user rotates the release tool clockwise, which actuates the latch to disengage from the catch. This rotational action in a different dimension provides easy release without compromising the lateral strength of the connection during normal use.
2Ease of operation
If separate mechanisms are used for opening the bin door and removing the dirt collector, then each function can be optimized independently, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism serves multiple functions: it can be used to open the bin door by actuating the catch, and it can also be used to remove the entire cyclonic separator from the main body by disengaging the latch. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining optimized operation for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the door opening mechanism and the dirt collector removal mechanism into a single release system. The same release tool and catch-latch assembly serve both purposes, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
3Strength
If a robust interface with multiple connection points is used between main body and cyclonic separator, then lateral flex is reduced, but the ease of release becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism provides a dynamic connection that is strong during normal operation but can be easily changed from latched to unlatched state through rotation. The latch rotates about its pivot point from a latched position (providing strong connection) to an unlatched position (allowing easy separation), enabling the interface to transition between strong and easily releasable states as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The release mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: the release tool, the latch, the catch, and the pivot point. This segmentation allows the force applied during release to be concentrated at specific points (the latch-catch interface) rather than distributed throughout the entire connection, making release easier while maintaining overall connection strength.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
A cleaning appliance comprising a main body (4) and a separating apparatus (12) including a dirt collector having a base that is openable that allows the dirt collector to be emptied. The cleaning appliance includes an actuator (98) that is operable sequentially such that, during a first operation, the actuator (98) causes the base to be opened and, during a second operation, the actuator causes the dirt collector to disengage from the separating apparatus. A single actuator is therefore used for two functions: firstly to open the dirt collector for emptying purposes and, secondly, to disengage the dirt collector from the separating apparatus for example for cleaning purposes. Such an arrangement is space efficient and intuitive for the user.