Low-Profile Vacuum Floor Tool With Parallel Pivot Axes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor tools for vacuum cleaners have a significant depth due to the need for pivot points above the soleplate, making it difficult to clean under low surfaces like furniture or cupboards without requiring excessive user effort.

Innovation Solution

A floor tool design with parallel pivot axes in a plane parallel to the suction plane, allowing for a reduced depth while maintaining the rocking motion for effective cleaning, featuring a connecting arm with a fulcrum and wheels for balanced force transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If pivot points are located above the soleplate to produce sufficient moment for rocking motion, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the depth of the floor tool increases making it unable to clean under low surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoiddepth of floor tool

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the pivot points from a vertical arrangement (above the soleplate) to a horizontal arrangement (in the plane of the suction opening). This dimensional change allows the rocking motion to be achieved without increasing the vertical depth of the tool, enabling it to clean under low surfaces while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing pivot points above the soleplate to create a downward moment, the patent inverts the approach by placing pivot points in the plane of the suction opening and using a connecting arm that extends upward to connect with the wand. This inversion allows the same rocking function to be achieved with a low-profile design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Length of stationary object

If pivot points are located close to the soleplate to reduce tool depth, then ability to clean under low surfaces is improved, but user effort required to initiate rocking motion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth of floor toolVSAvoiduser effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a connecting arm as an intermediary element between the wand and the head. This connecting arm acts as a lever that amplifies the user's input force, making it easier to initiate and maintain the rocking motion even with pivot points located close to the suction opening plane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a dynamic system where the connecting arm can pivot relative to both the head and the wand. This dynamic arrangement allows the system to adapt to user input and automatically generate the necessary rocking motion with minimal user effort, regardless of pivot point location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a low profile design is used to clean under low surfaces, then adaptability to different cleaning locations is improved, but the rocking motion required for effective cleaning is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to clean under low surfacesVSAvoidrocking motion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the floor tool into distinct functional components: a head with suction opening, a connecting arm with pivot points, and a wand connection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the head remains low-profile for accessing under furniture, while the connecting arm provides the necessary leverage for rocking motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting arm serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects the wand to the head, provides pivot points for rocking motion, acts as a lever to amplify user force, and maintains the low-profile design. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between adaptability and cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8141203B2Floor tool for a surface treating appliance such as a vacuum cleaner

Publication Date: 2012.03.27 DYSON TECH LTD

AI summary

A floor tool for a cleaning appliance includes a head engaging with a floor surface, a connecting arm pivotally connected to the head about a first axis and a supporting body pivotally connected to the head about a second axis. The head includes a suction opening which lies in a suction plane, and the connecting arm includes an outlet in communication with the suction opening and adapted to connect to the cleaning appliance. The first and second axes lie parallel to one another in a plane which is substantially parallel to the suction plane. By providing a pair of parallel axes which lie in a plane parallel to the suction plane, the floor tool can have a reduced depth while still being able to achieve the desired “rocking” motion to improve cleaning performance. The height of the floor tool can thus be minimized.