Vacuum Cleaner Push Bar for Ergonomic Dust Container Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum cleaning appliances are difficult to handle due to the lack of ergonomic design in the actuating elements for raising and lowering the dirt collection container, making it cumbersome to move and empty the device.
Innovation Solution
The actuating element is configured as a push bar that can be gripped by the user in a standing posture, allowing for easy movement of the appliance and pivoting up to 135° to lower the dirt collection container, with features like toggle levers and spring elements to manage torque and prevent inadvertent movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuating element is designed for raising and lowering the dirt collection container, then the container can be moved between raised and lowered positions, but the appliance becomes difficult to handle and move along the floor surface
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the actuator for raising/lowering the dirt collection container and as a push bar for moving the entire vacuum cleaner along the floor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate handling mechanisms, improving ease of operation without adding device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating element merges the container positioning function with the appliance movement function into a single integrated component. By combining these two functions into one element, the design simplifies the overall structure while enhancing user convenience.
2Ease of operation
If the actuating element is positioned for operation while standing, then the user can operate it in a standing posture, but the pivot angle must be limited to maintain ergonomic positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot angle parameter is specifically optimized to a maximum of 135 degrees, which maintains ergonomic operation in standing posture while providing sufficient range for lowering the container. This parameter optimization balances ergonomic requirements with functional versatility.
3Ease of operation
If the push bar is inclined at a small angle to the horizontal, then it is easier to grip and push the appliance, but the torque required to pivot it increases
Solution Approach 1:
A spring element is introduced to counterbalance the torque required for pivoting the push bar. The spring provides a counteracting force that reduces the effort needed to pivot the bar, compensating for the increased torque demand caused by the small inclination angle optimal for gripping.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclination angle of the push bar is optimized to a small angle (at most 30 degrees, preferably at most 10 degrees) relative to the horizontal, which improves grip comfort and pushing ease while the spring element compensates for the resulting torque increase.
4Reliability
If the dirt collection container is held in the raised position, then it abuts against the device upper part in a flow-tight manner, but it requires additional force to maintain this position against gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element provides a counterbalancing force that offsets the gravitational force acting on the dirt collection container. This reduces the force required from the user to maintain the container in the raised position while ensuring reliable flow-tight sealing against the device upper part.
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 design enhances handling by allowing users to comfortably grip and pivot the push bar without changing position, reducing effort and preventing accidental movement of the dirt collection container, thus simplifying the operation of the vacuum cleaning appliance.
Implementation Method 1
it may be provided that the push bar is acted on by a retaining force in the lowered position of the dirt collection container
Implementation Method 2
with features like toggle levers and spring elements to manage torque
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a vacuum cleaning appliance having a moveable stand. A suction device mounted on the stand has a device upper part mounted on the stand and a dirt collection container situated beneath the device upper part. The stand has a lifting device and an actuating element pivotable about a horizontal axis for raising and lowering the dirt collection container, which in its raised position abuts against the device upper part in a flow-tight manner, and in its lowered position rests on a floor surface. The actuating element is configured as a push bar having a handle part which, in the raised position of the dirt collection container, may be gripped by the user in a standing posture in order to move the vacuum cleaning appliance, and is upwardly pivotable about the pivot axis by at most 135° in order to lower the dirt collection container.