Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Of course the next benefit that Dyson could take on is a hair dryer. On the basis that most hair dryers have no filters on the back (granted some do) to clean the back fan of dust, the air blade could be used for that, as well as heat producing fans...

Really.  No filters in "most" hand held hair driers.  On what do you base your conclusion?   

Carmine D.

Of course the next benefit that Dyson could take on is a hair dryer. On the basis that most hair dryers have no filters on the back (granted some do) to clean the back fan of dust, the air blade could be used for that, as well as heat producing fans...

Of course the next benefit that Dyson could take on is a hair dryer. On the basis that most hair dryers have no filters on the back (granted some do) to clean the back fan of dust, the air blade could be used for that, as well as heat producing fans...

Wow, quite a lot of jealousy here I see!  Once again, if the design of the Air Multiplier was so obvious, why didn't any of y'all think of it first? 

What an awesome fan that is, and watching Jack's (Model2) video demonstrations only makes me want one even more.  I heard about the Air Multiplier around 6 months ago from none other than Tom Gasko.  He was under the impression that it would be a bladeless ceiling fan, and from what I hear there's a ceiling fan in the works, but it now makes sense that Sir James would bring it out as a table fan to gauge the public reaction.  Not to mention giving time to iron out the quirks involved with adapting and producing a light kit for it as well.  And (aside from a select few posts on here and other similar sites...) it seems the public reaction to the AM as a whole has been favorable.  Either way, the AM ceiling fan should be a solution to a HUGE problem that has plagued us for decades...vibrating, dusty, wobbly ceiling fans that produce mostly choppy air, or do not seem to move any air at all on lower speeds.  Offering an optional built-in heater would be a good idea as well, for homes that are either without central heat or overly drafty.  Along with the "jet-engine" appearance, I predict that 40 years from now it will be looked at in the same way we look at "mod" fixtures from the 1960's today.  Sleek, cool, and a perfect combination of design and functionality.  May even add to the value of homes that have them installed!

While we're on the subject of new Dyson innovations, Tom suggested that there are more in the works where this came from.  Among them will be a juice extractor that can juice an entire orange without halving it or adding any of the bitter zest to the juice.  That's been a big complaint of mine for a long time regarding juicing oranges with an extractor and why I've always preferred to use a simple reamer-type citrus juicer.  There will also be a toaster that is completely sealed from the escaping moisture from toasting bread, and a dishwasher that converts hydrogen peroxide into a cleaning agent by means of an ionic charge plate. 

On the vacuum front, the self-propelled MotorDrive is in the process of being test-marketed here in the States.  Not entirely sure what the model will be, perhaps either DC29 or DC32, but I should find out more in the near future.  It is similar in appearance to the DC28 (except no cam actuator to adjust the brushbar), with four motors.  Two DDMs for the suction and brushbar, respectively, and two servo-motors for each rear wheel.  The brushbar will be driven off a simple gearbox, which puts to rest the myth of switched-reluctance motors not being able to produce any torque.  Are they as powerful as traditional carbon-brush universal motors at the moment, no, but they can obviously produce enough torque to drive a gearbox.  In that situation, at least with the DDM, speed is at an advantage, producing enough power off reduction gearing without sacrificing brushbar speed (and subsequently cleaning performance).  The self-propulsion system is what is most unique, addressing the problem of steering difficulty that has plagued Kirby, Hoover, etc.  When the handle is turned either to the left or right, it will engage the respective servo-motor providing effortless power steering.  It is the most responsive and innovative drive system to date, utilizing electronics similar to a joystick to control the drive rather than complex linkage.  Due to the self-propulsion electronics in the handle, this will also be the first Dyson upright not to have the wand in the handle for above-floor cleaning. 

Between Dyson, Tacony, and Miele, it's nice to know someone well-rounded in the industry to provide this great information.

Take care everyone,
MH

P.S. Carmine, I hear where you're going, there will be an amalgam of AM01s to provide air circulation, and DC07s for you, Mole, and David Oreck to clean the place with...what can I say, guess they have good taste in vacuums and fans down there too

Vacmanuk’s idea is genius (if it can be done).  Sir James could be the manufacturer/distributor or he could license it (in a variety of ways).  It’s genius!

DIB

I'd imagine that, like with hand driers, that the heating element will most often fail before the fan motor. The same is likely true with a hair drier and heat is important in the task of drying hair. Can you make a case for the health risks of carbon deposits from traditional motors in hair driers? If so, a brush-less motor could be a consideration for people who use hair driers each day, i.e. hair stylists.

Probable but highly impractical for a dyson product venue.  Why?  Dyson's MO is to reinvent existing technology and add a huge premium: i.e.: ball barrows; contrarotating washers; hand driers; hand held vacuums; fans.  You and others opine that hand held hair driers are a new frontier ripe for the dyson picking.  I disagree.  Why?  My question is: If and when it ever comes to be, at what price will it be?  As with all the other dyson products mentioned, they are so overpriced as to make them obsolete for sale to the general public [even professional hair stylists which is a niche market]:  Air Blade, Air Multiplier, Contrarotating washer, etc.  As Venson and others point out, disposable household products marked up to the sky's the limit price are very consumer unfriendly.  Works maybe for household vacuums, which retail for $200-$300.  Not fans and hand and hair driers.

But that never stops Sir James.  If a $80 hand held gets a dyson price of $270, and an Air Blade hand drier gets a dyson price of $1400, and a 10 inch $10 fan gets a dyson price of $330, what on God's green earth would a hand held hair drier list for?  $400-$500.  Perhaps, especially due to the higher wattage of these products.  Of course, I might be mistaken.  It may be even more.  One thing is sure based on dyson's past product pricing, it won't be less than $400.

Carmine D.