Vacuum Cleaner Debris Receptacle for Large-Particle Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum cleaners have limitations in picking up large debris particles, leading to clogging, motor jamming, and the need for manual handling and disposal, which is burdensome and unsanitary.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum cleaner design with a housing featuring a suction nozzle, air/dirt separator, and dirt receptacle, including an external opening for large debris, selectively sealed by a closure element, allowing direct collection and storage of large particles without disrupting airflow or requiring manual handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the suction nozzle is used to pick up debris particles, then small dirt particles can be removed effectively, but large debris particles cannot be removed and cause clogging or motor jamming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of clogging and motor jammingVSAvoidability to handle different particle sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum cleaner system is segmented into two separate intake paths: one for small particles through the suction nozzle and another for large debris through the external opening. This allows each pathway to be optimized for its specific particle size range, preventing clogging while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air/dirt separator acts as an intermediary component that receives both small particles from the suction nozzle and large debris from the external opening. It separates and directs both types of particles to the dirt receptacle, enabling the system to handle multiple particle sizes without direct conflict between the intake paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If manual removal of large particles is performed, then the vacuum cleaner is protected from damage, but the vacuuming operation is interrupted and requires user intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous vacuuming operationVSAvoiduser intervention required

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The external opening with closure element is prepared in advance to receive large debris particles directly during the vacuuming process. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for interrupting the operation to manually remove particles, as users can simply deposit large debris into the pre-configured opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides self-service by automatically collecting and storing large debris particles in the dirt receptacle through the external opening, eliminating the need for user intervention to remove and dispose of particles. The closure element automatically seals the opening after deposition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the external opening is left open for large debris introduction, then large particles can be collected, but airflow may be disrupted and sanitation compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess for large debrisVSAvoidairflow disruption and sanitation issues

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The closure element provides dynamic control of the external opening, allowing it to be opened only when needed for debris deposition and closed otherwise. This dynamic operation maintains airflow efficiency and sanitation during normal vacuuming while enabling adaptability when large debris needs to be collected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The closure element is extracted as a separate controllable component that can be independently operated to open or seal the external opening. This allows the opening to be taken out of the sealed state temporarily for debris introduction and then returned to the sealed state to prevent airflow disruption and maintain sanitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables efficient collection and storage of large debris particles, preventing clogging and motor issues while allowing continuous vacuuming without manual interruption, ensuring sanitary and convenient disposal.

Implementation Method 1

a suction source fluidly connected to the suction nozzle, the working air conduit, the air/dirt separator and the dirt receptacle for moving dirt-laden air from the suction nozzle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the air/dirt separator can include a cyclone separator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentUS7743461B2Vacuum cleaner with large debris receptacle

Publication Date: 2010.06.29 BISSELL INC

AI summary

A vacuum cleaning machine comprising a housing that includes a suction nozzle that is adapted to move along a surface to be cleaned and a receptacle coupled to the housing for holding particles removed from the surface during operation of the vacuum cleaning machine. The receptacle is provided with an external opening for the introduction of debris particles therein which are not ordinarily removable from the surface through the suction-generating apparatus. The vacuum cleaning machine can be an upright vacuum cleaning machine and the receptacle can be mounted to the handle. The receptacle can also be incorporated into a dirt cup in a cyclone separator module.