Wearable Vacuum Collection Bin Layout for Back-Worn Emptying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable vacuum cleaners lack efficient debris collection and battery placement designs, making it difficult to empty the collection bin and manage battery power while the device is worn on the user's back.
Innovation Solution
A wearable vacuum cleaner design featuring a harness-supported configuration with a cyclone arrangement for debris separation, a moveable lid for easy emptying of the collection bin, and a battery receptacle positioned independently of the lid, allowing for secure and accessible operation of latches while wearing the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the collection bin is designed with a lid that can be opened for emptying, then debris can be emptied from the collection bin, but the battery receptacle position may interfere with lid operation when the device is worn on the user's back
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the battery receptacle asymmetrically within the housing, specifically away from the vertical path of the lid opening mechanism. This asymmetric arrangement allows the lid to be opened and closed without interference from the battery receptacle, resolving the spatial conflict between these two components while maintaining compact device design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the spatial conflict by utilizing three-dimensional space optimization. The battery receptacle is positioned in a location that is horizontally offset from the lid's vertical opening path, effectively using the third dimension (depth within the housing) to separate the functional paths of the lid mechanism and battery compartment, eliminating interference.
2Reliability
If the battery receptacle is positioned within the housing, then the battery can be secured, but it may obstruct access to the collection bin opening mechanism when worn
Solution Approach 1:
The battery receptacle is asymmetrically positioned within the housing structure, located away from the user's hand access zone when the device is worn on the back. This asymmetric placement ensures that the battery is securely held in a fixed position while not obstructing the user's ability to access and operate the collection bin opening mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure acts as an intermediary element that spatially separates the battery receptacle from the collection bin access path. The housing provides structural support for the battery while creating a clear operational zone for the collection bin lid mechanism, effectively mediating between these two functional requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the collection bin is designed to be emptied while attached to the housing, then emptying is convenient, but the opening mechanism must be accessible from the user's back position
Solution Approach 1:
The collection bin lid mechanism is designed to be operable by the user while the device is worn on their back, without requiring removal of the device or complex manipulation. The opening mechanism is positioned and configured to allow the user to easily access and operate the latch with natural hand movements, enabling self-service emptying while maintaining device attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is positioned at an ergonomically accessible location on the housing that creates an equipotential operating condition for the user's hand when the device is worn on the back. This positioning allows the user to operate the latch with minimal effort and natural hand positioning, making the emptying operation as convenient as possible given the wearable configuration.
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
Enables efficient debris collection and battery management, allowing for easy emptying of the collection bin and secure battery operation without altering the battery's position, enhancing user convenience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a collection bin removably coupled to the housing and including a cyclone arrangement configured to separate debris from the working airflow
Implementation Method 2
a suction motor assembly disposed within the housing and operable to create a working airflow through the working airflow path
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable vacuum cleaner includes a harness configured to support the wearable vacuum cleaner on a user's back, a housing connected to the harness, a suction motor assembly disposed within the housing and operable to create a working airflow, and a collection bin configured to receive debris separated from the working airflow. The collection bin includes an opening adjacent a bottom portion of the collection bin and a lid moveably coupled to the collection bin to selectively cover the opening in a closed position and uncover the opening in an open position. The lid is movable to the open position to empty the contents of the collection bin through the opening while the collection bin remains attached to the housing.