Coupling system for a suction apparatus, and component of a suction apparatus having a coupling element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction apparatuses lack a stable and convenient coupling system for connecting different components, leading to potential misalignment and unreliable transmission of electrical energy and data.
Innovation Solution
A coupling system with complementary guide contours and plug-in units that prevent twisting and ensure secure alignment, allowing for reliable electrical and data transmission between components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple coupling system is used for connecting suction apparatus components, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the stability and reliability of the connection deteriorates, leading to potential misalignment and unreliable transmission of electrical energy and data
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into separate functional elements: a first coupling element with a connecting piece, a second coupling element with a receiving area, guide contours, and plug-in units for electrical connections. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting piece of the first coupling element is inserted into the receiving area of the second coupling element, creating a nested structure. This nesting provides a stable mechanical connection while the guide contours and plug-in units are integrated within this nested arrangement, ensuring alignment and electrical connectivity without adding external complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If guide contours are added to prevent twisting of coupling elements, then the connection stability and alignment precision are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide contours feature asymmetric geometries with complementary shapes on the connecting piece and receiving area. These asymmetric contours prevent twisting by ensuring that only the correct orientation allows the contours to engage properly, thereby guaranteeing alignment precision while the contours can be manufactured as integral parts of the coupling elements.
3Reliability
If plug-in units with protective walls are implemented for electrical connections, then the reliability of electrical energy and data transmission is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The plug-in units for electrical connections are merged with the mechanical coupling structure. The protective walls of the plug-in units are integrated into the housing of the coupling elements, and the electrical contacts are positioned to engage automatically when the connecting piece is inserted into the receiving area. This merging ensures reliable electrical transmission while avoiding the need for separate, complex electrical connection mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If the tubular connecting piece protrudes significantly along the longitudinal axis, then the ease of operation for connecting components is improved, but the length of the component increases and may affect compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The guide contours are positioned to engage in advance during the connection process. As the connecting piece approaches the receiving area, the guide contours on the housing interact with corresponding contours on the connecting piece, pre-aligning the components before the final insertion is completed. This preliminary action facilitates ease of operation by guiding the user through the connection process while keeping the overall length minimized.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling system connects to different suction-air-guiding components of a suction apparatus. The coupling system contains a first coupling element having a tubular connecting piece and a second coupling element having a tubular receiving area for the connecting piece. The first coupling element further has a first plug-in unit and the second coupling element has a second plug-in unit which is configured to form, with the first plug-in unit of the first coupling element, an electrically conductive plug-in connection, and which has a protective wall which protrudes compared to the contact surface of the second coupling element. The tubular connecting piece has a guide contour, and the second coupling element has a guide contour complementary thereto which, beginning at the protective wall of the second plug-in unit, extends along the longitudinal axis into the receiving area.