Retractable Vacuum Hose Storage With Rollers and Sealed Cradle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing central vacuum cleaning systems face challenges in hose storage, requiring homeowners to frequently retrieve and return the hose from a remote storage area, leading to cluttered spaces and reduced usage for small cleanups due to the inconvenience of connecting and disconnecting the hose from a central vacuum system.
Innovation Solution
A compact hose storage system with a pivotally mounted cradle that automatically turns off the vacuum source and seals the hose, featuring rollers with a concave circumference to prevent tangling and a sealing device at the hose handle for easy expansion and contraction, allowing the hose to be easily stored and retrieved while keeping other vacuum outlets active from a single central source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hose is stored in a remote location such as a closet, then the vacuum source can be centrally located, but the homeowner must continually move the hose from room to room which is inconvenient and clutters storage areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the vacuum function into two separate components: a centrally located vacuum source and a portable hose assembly with its own motor. This segmentation allows the hose to be stored locally in kitchen cabinets while the main vacuum source remains centralized, eliminating the need to transport the entire hose assembly to and from remote storage locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable hose assembly with motor is nested within the existing central vacuum system architecture. The hose assembly connects to the central vacuum source through a valve, allowing it to function as an integrated yet independent unit that can be stored locally without compromising the central system's operation.
2Extent of automation
If a power-driven mechanism is used to retract the hose in an in-wall storage cabinet, then the hose can be automatically retracted, but the installation cost increases and the hose becomes dedicated to a single vacuum source
Solution Approach 1:
The hose assembly is designed to be manually handled by the user for extension and retraction, eliminating the need for power-driven retraction mechanisms. The simple design allows users to easily connect and disconnect the hose from the valve without requiring complex automated systems, thereby reducing installation complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor is extracted from the central vacuum source and placed directly in the portable hose assembly. This extraction allows the hose to be independently operated and stored locally without being dedicated to a single centralized vacuum source, providing flexibility while avoiding complex installation requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hose is kept in a remote storage area, then the vacuum source can serve multiple outlets, but the system is not suitable for small cleanups requiring quick access
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the vacuum function into a permanent central vacuum source that serves multiple outlets and a portable hose assembly that can be quickly deployed for small cleanups. The portable assembly with its local motor and handheld design enables rapid response to small spillages without requiring the user to retrieve equipment from remote storage areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable hose assembly serves multiple functions: it can be used for small cleanups in the kitchen, connected to the central vacuum system for larger cleaning tasks, and stored locally in kitchen cabinets. This multi-functionality allows the same vacuum system to handle both small and large cleaning needs efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum hose storage system includes a housing which is mounted in a storage area of a dwelling or vehicle and connected to a vacuum source. A length of flexible, expandable cleaning hose is mounted in a looped fashion about a plurality of spaced rollers rotatably mounted within the housing. A handle is attached to one end of the hose and is seated in a cradle formed in the housing when the hose is in a fully retracted position within the housing. The cradle is mounted in the housing and receives the open end of the hose when not in use and enables other vacuum tubes in the structure to be operational without shutting off the vacuum to the stored hose. An ON/OFF switch is located in the cradle for controlling the vacuum source and is actuated when the handle is placed in or removed from the cradle. The hose has an internal helical spring which biases the hose toward a retracted position about the spaced rollers within the housing.