Sideways-Pivoting Vacuum Handle for Easier Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Upright vacuum cleaners face limitations in maneuverability and complexity in their design, particularly in allowing the handle section to pivot sideways and move rearward, which can lead to increased effort and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a pivotally mounted upright section that can move rearward and pivot sideways, with a biasing member to counteract hand weight, and a pivot limiter to control the pivot angle, enhancing maneuverability and simplifying the construction compared to traditional rotational mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the upright section is permitted to rotate about the longitudinal axis to assist steering, then the maneuverability of the cleaning head is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the upright section about its longitudinal axis to achieve steering, the patent inverts the approach by permitting sideways pivoting of the upright section about a transverse axis. This reversal of the rotation direction simplifies the linkage construction while still improving maneuverability of the cleaning head.
Solution Approach 2:
The upright section is made dynamically movable between different positions through sideways pivoting about a transverse axis. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the upright section to adapt to different steering requirements without requiring complex rotational mechanisms, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining simple construction.
2Ease of operation
If the upright section is made to pivot sideways to enhance maneuverability, then the ease of operation is improved, but the weight of the upright section increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
A biasing member in the form of a spring is incorporated to counteract the hand weight that arises due to the sideways pivot of the upright section. This spring mechanism provides a counterbalancing force that offsets the additional weight, making the sideways pivoting motion easier to control and reducing the effective weight burden on the user.
3Ease of operation
If a biasing member is added to counteract hand weight during sideways pivoting, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring biasing member automatically provides counterbalancing force during sideways pivoting without requiring external control or adjustment by the user. The spring self-adjusts to the position of the upright section, providing continuous counterbalancing assistance throughout the range of motion, thereby improving handling ease without adding complex control 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
This design enhances the maneuverability of the surface cleaning head, reduces the complexity and weight of the upright section, and provides adjustable pivot angles for improved usability and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member such as a spring may be easily provided to counteract some or all of the hand weight that arises due to the sideways pivot of the upright or handle section
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus comprises:(a) a cleaning head having a front, a rear, two opposed sides extending between the front and the rear, a bottom and a dirty air inlet;(b) an airflow path extending from the dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;(c) a suction motor and an air treatment member positioned in the airflow path;(d) an upright section moveably mounted with respect to the cleaning head between a storage position and a rearward in-use position; and,(e) the upright section also pivotally mounted for movement sideways with respect to the cleaning head between a centered position and a sideways position.