Wheel-Embedded Vacuum Axle for Compact Upright Cleaners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Upright vacuum cleaners face challenges in achieving increased functionality while reducing size and weight, with moving parts often failing before the housing, and the addition of features like stronger motors and attachments leading to increased weight and size.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a motor within the wheel axle of the vacuum cleaner base, utilizing a coaxial shaft and wheel mounts with a bearing system, and a beater bar housing, which reduces weight and size while maintaining cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional functional features (stronger motors, integrated attachments) are added to vacuum cleaners, then cleaning capability and functionality are improved, but weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is integrated within the wheel axle assembly, merging two previously separate components (motor and wheel) into a single unified structure. This eliminates the need for separate motor mounting brackets and reduces overall material usage, achieving weight reduction while maintaining enhanced functionality
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional functional features (stronger motors, integrated attachments) are added to vacuum cleaners, then cleaning capability and functionality are improved, but size and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the motor housing with the wheel axle assembly, the patent creates a compact integrated unit that occupies less space than separate components would require. The co-axial arrangement allows the motor shaft to align with the wheel axis, maximizing space utilization and reducing the overall footprint of the vacuum cleaner base
Solution Approach 2:
The motor is positioned within the wheel axle structure, with the motor shaft extending through the center of the wheel assembly. This nested configuration allows the motor to be housed within the existing wheel footprint, effectively utilizing internal space and minimizing the external dimensions of the vacuum base
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional separate motor and wheel assemblies are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but longevity decreases as moving parts fail before housing
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of motor and wheel into a single co-axial assembly reduces the number of separate moving parts and connection points that can fail. By eliminating intermediate mounting brackets and connection interfaces, the patent reduces potential failure points while maintaining manufacturability through standard machining operations for the integrated housing
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 longevity and maneuverability of the vacuum cleaner, reduces manufacturing costs, and provides improved cleaning capabilities with a smaller, lighter unit that is easier to use.
Implementation Method 1
a bearing disposed on of the substantially circular outer surface of the first wheel mount
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner including a base including a motor assembly and a wheel, wherein the wheel rotates around the motor assembly about an axis of rotation, the wheel extends radially outward from the motor assembly, and a portion of the motor assembly intersects a plane defined by the wheel perpendicular to the axis of rotation.