Vacuum cleaner
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaners require users to manually open the dust container, which can lead to contamination and difficulty in applying force, especially when using the non-dominant hand, making it inconvenient to open the container effectively.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner design featuring a rotatable operation portion with elastic members that allows the dust container to be opened in either direction, using the same operation force, and includes a handle for easy gripping, preventing contamination and facilitating easy opening with either hand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the dust container is opened manually by grasping with one hand and opening with the other hand, then the dust container can be opened, but the user's hand may be contaminated by dust and it is difficult to apply proper force when using the non-dominant hand
Solution Approach 1:
The operation portion acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the dust container opening action. Instead of directly grasping and opening the container, the user operates the operation portion which transmits the opening force through the elastic members to the opening and closing portion, thereby preventing direct contact with dust while still achieving the opening function
Solution Approach 2:
The manual direct-opening mechanical system is replaced with a mechanical transmission system involving the operation portion and elastic members. The user's rotational input force is converted and transmitted through the elastic members to produce the opening motion, substituting the simple grasp-and-pull action with a more sophisticated mechanical system that eliminates dust contact
2Adaptability or versatility
If the operation portion is designed to rotate in both directions with elastic members, then the dust container can be opened using either hand with equal ease, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operation portion is designed with asymmetric features including inclined portions at specific locations and elastic members positioned to engage in specific rotational directions. This asymmetric design enables bidirectional rotation capability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, allowing the mechanism to adapt to either hand operation without requiring complete symmetry or dual independent mechanisms
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
The design enables easy and contamination-free opening of the dust container using either hand, improving user convenience and reducing the risk of dropping the container by allowing operation in both rotational directions with equal force application.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member which is contracted when the operation portion is rotated in one direction, and a second elastic member which is contracted when the operation portion rotates in the other direction, so as to be capable of returning to an initial position
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner main body, a suction device, a suction motor, and a dust container. The dust container includes a dust collection body configured to contain dust, an opening/closing portion rotatably coupled to the dust collection body and configured to rotate to thereby open and close at least a portion of the dust collection body, and an operation portion connected to the dust collection body and configured to rotate in both a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The opening/closing portion is configured to rotate based on the operation portion rotating in the first direction, and configured to rotate based on the operation portion rotating in the second direction.