Vacuum Cleaner Handle Structure for Directional Impact Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaner handles fail to effectively absorb impacts and provide comfortable haptic properties, leading to premature wear and complex manufacturing processes.

Innovation Solution

A handle design with a thicker outer part on the impact side and a thinner outer part on the opposite side, encasing the inner part circularly, combined with a rib structure and softer outer material for shock absorption, and recessed grips for improved haptics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the outer part has uniform wall thickness around the inner part, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the handle cannot effectively absorb impacts from one main direction and the softer material wears out prematurely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact absorption capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outer part is designed with non-uniform wall thickness, where the wall thickness in the impact direction is greater than the wall thickness in other directions. This local variation in geometry allows the handle to absorb impacts more effectively in the primary impact direction while maintaining manufacturability through a single molding process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the outer part is made uniformly soft throughout, then the haptic properties are comfortable for gripping, but the handle cannot provide sufficient structural stability and the material wears out quickly under impact loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehaptic comfortVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The outer part combines a softer material for haptic comfort with a non-uniform wall thickness distribution. The greater wall thickness in the impact direction provides enhanced structural stability and impact resistance, while the softer material throughout maintains comfortable grip characteristics. This resolves the contradiction between softness for comfort and sufficient strength for stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the handle diameter is increased to improve impact absorption, then the shock-absorbing effect is enhanced, but the handle becomes bulky and difficult to grip comfortably

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock absorptionVSAvoidgrip comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly increasing the handle diameter, the invention concentrates the additional material in the impact direction through non-uniform wall thickness. This provides enhanced shock absorption capability while maintaining a compact overall diameter that is comfortable for gripping. The extra material is strategically placed only where needed for impact resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If multiple separate components are used to provide both shock absorption and haptic properties, then the functional requirements are met, but the assembly process becomes expensive and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact protectionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines the shock absorption function and haptic comfort function into a single integrated outer part. The outer part is formed as one piece with non-uniform wall thickness that simultaneously provides impact absorption in the primary direction and comfortable grip characteristics. This eliminates the need for multiple separate components and complex assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 handle effectively absorbs impact forces, prevents damage, enhances haptic comfort, and extends service life while maintaining a compact diameter and stability, allowing for easy integration into vacuum cleaner design.

Implementation Method 1

the greater wall thickness of the outer part on the impact side allows improved impact absorption by the handle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2316324B1Handle for a vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2015.09.02 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2316324B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2316324B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2316324B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Handle (20) for carrying a vacuum cleaner (10) with an inner part (30) and an outer part (40), the outer part (40) enclosing the inner part (30) in a circular manner, and the handle (20) having an impact side (21) and an opposite side (22) opposite the impact side (21), the wall thickness (41) of the outer part (40) on the impact side (21) being greater than the wall thickness (42) of the outer part (40) on the opposite side (22) . The present invention makes it possible to provide a handle that can absorb impacts that occur, using simple structural and cost-effective means. Furthermore, a handle with improved haptic properties can be provided. In addition, the handle can be easily integrated into the design of the vacuum cleaner without appearing as an active shock-absorbing element. Furthermore, a handle with a long service life can be provided.