Vacuum Cleaner Support Frame With Deployable Air Outlet Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered handheld vacuum cleaners are difficult to use for cleaning floor surfaces due to their small size, requiring users to crouch or stoop, and existing extension solutions are frustrating to attach, often leading to misalignment and inefficient air flow.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaning appliance with a handheld device and support frame, featuring a moveable air outlet that projects from the frame when detached, allowing easier alignment and coupling, and a latch mechanism for secure attachment, along with a resilient bias for automatic deployment and space-saving retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the air outlet is fixed in position on the support frame, then the structure is simple and compact, but the handheld device is difficult to align and attach, leading to misalignment and poor air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The air outlet is made moveable relative to the support frame, transitioning from a fixed position to a dynamic configuration. The air outlet can be deployed to an extended position during attachment to facilitate alignment, and retracted to a stowed position when detached to maintain a compact form factor. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing ease of operation during attachment while maintaining structural simplicity during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The air outlet is separated from the main support frame structure into a distinct, independently movable component. This segmentation allows the air outlet to be positioned independently - extended outward to create clearance and improve visibility for alignment, then retracted to minimize overall device dimensions. The segmented design enables the air outlet to serve multiple positional functions without complicating the overall structure.
2Ease of operation
If the air outlet projects from the support frame, then alignment and coupling are easier, but the device occupies more space and may snag on obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The air outlet employs a deployable mechanism that allows it to extend outward from the support frame only when needed for attachment. During normal operation or storage, the air outlet remains retracted, maintaining a compact device profile that minimizes space occupation and reduces the risk of snagging on obstacles. The dynamic extension provides the necessary clearance and accessibility for easy coupling without permanently increasing device dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The air outlet is designed to nest within or alongside the support frame structure when in the retracted position. This nesting arrangement allows the air outlet to be stored compactly within the overall device envelope, minimizing the volume occupied by the moveable component while still allowing full extension when attachment is required. The nested design effectively hides the additional volume needed for the extendable air outlet.
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
Enhances user convenience by simplifying the attachment process, reducing the risk of misalignment, and maintaining efficient air flow while allowing for easy detachment and reattachment, improving usability and cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the air outlet is resiliently biased into the first position
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cleaning appliance comprises a handheld vacuum cleaning device comprising a motor coupled to a fan for generating an air flow through a nozzle air inlet. It also comprises a support frame comprising: a cleaning head having a cleaning head air inlet; and an air outlet in fluid communication with the cleaning head air inlet, the air outlet configured to couple with the nozzle air inlet when the handheld vacuum cleaning device is secured to the support frame and to create an airflow path from the cleaning head air inlet to the nozzle air inlet. The air outlet is moveable with respect to the support frame into a first position in which the air outlet projects from the support frame when the handheld vacuum cleaning device is detached from the support frame.