Vacuum Cleaner Bag Holding Plate With Guided Spring Receptacle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaner bag holding plates face challenges in achieving a high closing force while maintaining a low spring force during opening, with previous designs either resulting in high spring force at large opening angles or compromising suction performance.
Innovation Solution
A holding plate design featuring a receptacle for the curved middle section of the spring element, allowing high closing force with low spring force during opening, where the spring element is partially inserted into the receptacle, and guided by side walls for predictable movement, and supported by a projection for defined support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the spring element is mounted close to the rotation axis to achieve small bending angle, then the bending angle is reduced, but the closing force becomes comparatively small
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is positioned away from the rotation axis and allowed to move in a second dimension within the receptacle. This spatial arrangement creates a longer moment arm for the spring force, generating higher closing force while the receptacle constraints maintain control over the bending geometry.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the end of the spring is inserted into a blind hole to reduce bending angle, then the bending angle is reduced, but the blind hole obstructs airflow and negatively affects suction performance
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is extracted from the traditional blind hole mounting and repositioned within the receptacle structure. This removes the obstructive blind hole from the airflow path while maintaining the spring's functional relationship with the flap through the receptacle's guiding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle serves as an intermediary structure that replaces the blind hole mounting method. It provides the necessary mechanical guidance and constraint for the spring element without creating airflow obstruction, thereby mediating between structural requirements and airflow requirements.
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 provides a high closing force when the flap is closed and a low spring force when opening, facilitating easy air-actuated opening with large angles without obstructing airflow, thus enhancing suction performance.
Implementation Method 1
a strip-shaped, flexible spring element being provided on the opening side of the flap, by means of which the flap is pretensioned in the closed position
Implementation Method 2
If the opening movement of the panel is to be generated essentially by the air flow
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The plate has a base plate (3) at which a cover (4) for closing an inflow opening (9) is pivotably supported. A strip-shaped bendable spring (8) e.g. snap spring, is provided on an opening side of the cover. The cover is prestressed in closed position by the spring. A retainer (5) is formed in the cover, and a bent central section (80) of the spring is inserted in the retainer during opening of the cover. The spring is arranged at distance from a base of the retainer in the closed position. The retainer is bordered by side walls (6) arranged adjacent to longitudinal sides of the spring.