Vacuum Dirt Container Holding Device Using Linear Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaning apparatuses, such as vacuum cleaners, often require complex mechanisms for securely storing and retrieving the dirt collection container, which can be cumbersome and prone to incorrect alignment, leading to inefficient emptying and reattachment processes.
Innovation Solution
A holding device with co-operating members that engage to lock the dirt collection container in place, allowing it to be moved linearly into a stored position without relative rotation, utilizing projections and recesses for orientation guidance and a biasing mechanism to facilitate easy docking and undocking, ensuring secure storage and easy access for emptying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex mechanism is used to securely store and retrieve the dirt collection container, then the container can be held securely in the stored position, but the mechanism becomes cumbersome and prone to incorrect alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The holding device automatically engages and disengages through the linear movement of the container itself. The co-operating members (lugs and grooves) automatically align and engage when the container is pushed into the stored position, eliminating the need for separate locking actions or complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential locking function from a complex mechanism and implements it through simple geometric features (projections and recesses) that engage through basic linear movement. This removes unnecessary complexity while maintaining secure holding capability.
2Reliability
If a complex mechanism is used to secure the container, then the container can be held securely, but the emptying and reattachment process becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The container's linear movement into the stored position automatically triggers the engagement of co-operating members. Users simply push the container in or pull it out without needing to operate separate locking or unlocking mechanisms, significantly improving the efficiency of emptying and reattachment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding device is divided into separate co-operating members attached to different components (container and apparatus body). This segmentation allows independent movement and engagement of the members through linear motion, simplifying the interaction and improving operational efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If the container is allowed to rotate relative to the apparatus during insertion, then alignment may be easier, but incorrect orientation and misalignment occur
Solution Approach 1:
The co-operating members are designed with asymmetric geometries (specific oriented lugs and grooves) that only match in the correct rotational orientation. This asymmetric design guides the container into the proper alignment during linear insertion and prevents incorrect orientation, combining ease of operation with precise alignment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus having a dirt collection container which is removable from a remainder of the apparatus, wherein the dirt collection container is held in a stored position relative the remainder of the apparatus by a holding device, said holding device including: a first co-operating member provided in, provided on or connected to the dirt collection container; and a second co-operating member provided in, provided on or connected to the remainder of the apparatus, wherein movement of the dirt collection container towards its stored position engages the first and second co-operating members with each other and effects either: rotation of the first co-operating member relative to the dirt collection container: and/or rotation of the second co-operating member relative to the remainder of the apparatus.