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This article was taken from the October 2012 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by <span class="s1">subscribing online.
To solve the frustrations of tipping over and tangled power-leads, Dyson put a ball at the heart of its new vacuum cleaners -- cramming almost all its 100+ components into a compact sphere. A tight configuration of new, patented parts and neatly compressed airways is held within a smooth chassis that keeps the unit running smoothly across carpets without catching on pile. And yes, it still captures dust like its upright sibling.
Here's how it packs in the power to make a mini-cyclone.
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Numbers correspond to above image
1. Ball shells
Cartridge ball-bearings in the axle reduce friction. The smooth, 26cm-diameter ABS plastic ball chassis doesn't dig into the carpet.
2 Motor protection valve
This opens in the event of any airway blockage, maintaining a cooling airflow through the motor.
3 Motor mount system
Dual-stage sound-dampening improves acoustics, isolates the user from vibration and protects the motor from impacts.
4 Motor The high-performance 1,300W AC motor powers the fan to draw air and dirt up through the cleaning nozzle into the cyclone.
5 Filter The 0.52m<sup>2</sup> post-motor filter is the largest of any Dyson vacuum cleaner. The redesigned component is built into the surrounding parts.
6 Cool-air entrainment system Exhaust air is used to generate low pressure, pulling cool ambient air through the machine.
7 Exhaust Acoustic foams and labyrinthine airways maximise efficiency and minimise noise. The exhaust is directed away from the user and the floor.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
