Vacuum Cleaner Dust Bag Collar Geometry for Low-Leakage Flap Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dust filter bags for vacuum cleaners face challenges in simplifying the pivoting mechanism of the closure flap and reducing dust or activated carbon leakage, while also improving airflow efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The dust filter bag design features an inclined collar with a rotation axis that allows the closure flap to pivot at a reduced angle, enabling easier opening and closing, and the axis of rotation is positioned to rest on the inner wall of the dust bag, stabilizing the flap and enhancing airflow by aligning with the air duct's inclination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the closure flap is designed to pivot through 90° from a horizontal plane to completely open the entry opening, then the entry opening can be fully opened for maximum airflow, but the energy expenditure required to pivot the closure flap increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveentry opening areaVSAvoidenergy expenditure for pivoting
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The collar is designed with an asymmetric inclination angle α (20°-70°) relative to the surface normal of the entry plane, creating an asymmetric geometry that reduces the required pivoting angle. This asymmetric design allows the closure flap to open the entry opening effectively without requiring a full 90° rotation, thereby reducing energy expenditure while maintaining airflow capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameter of the collar by introducing an inclination angle α between 20° and 70° relative to the surface normal of the entry plane. This parameter change transforms the traditional horizontal opening mechanism into an inclined opening mechanism, reducing the pivoting angle requirement from 90° to (90°-α), thus lowering the energy needed for operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the closure flap pivots slowly to ensure complete sealing, then sealing is improved, but the time for dust, dirt or activated carbon to trickle out increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing qualityVSAvoidtime for material to trickle out
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The inclined collar design creates a pre-positioned closure mechanism where the closure flap naturally follows the inclined path, enabling faster closure. The geometric inclination α预先 (in advance) prepares the flap's movement trajectory, allowing it to close more quickly while still achieving complete sealing, thus preventing dust and activated carbon from trickling out for an extended period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the collar's geometric parameter to an inclined angle α, the invention alters the closure flap's movement characteristics. The inclination enables the flap to traverse the sealing path more quickly compared to a horizontal arrangement, reducing the time materials have to trickle out while maintaining sealing reliability through the optimized angle range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the collar is arranged parallel to the surface normal of the entry plane, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but the closure flap requires a 90° pivot angle increasing mechanical complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollar manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidpivoting mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collar is designed with an asymmetric inclination angle α relative to the surface normal, breaking the traditional symmetric vertical arrangement. This asymmetric geometry simplifies the pivoting mechanism by reducing the required rotation angle from 90° to (90°-α), thereby reducing mechanical complexity while remaining manufacturable through standard forming processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies the collar's geometric parameter by introducing an inclination angle α between 20° and 70° relative to the surface normal of the entry plane. This parameter change optimizes the balance between manufacturing simplicity and mechanical complexity, allowing the collar to be formed using standard processes while significantly reducing the pivoting mechanism's angular requirement and associated complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2923623B1Dust filter bag for a vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner comprising a dust filter bag
Publication Date: 2016.09.07 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH
  • EP2923623B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2923623B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2923623B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a dust filter bag (1) for a vacuum cleaner, which dust filter bag (1) has a holding plate (2) with a dust bag (3) attached thereto, the holding plate (2) having an entry opening (5) spanning an entry level (4) for inflow of an air stream into the dust bag (3), which entry opening (5) is at least partially delimited by a collar (6) projecting into the interior of the dust bag (3), and wherein the holding plate (2) has a rotation axis (7) from an open position to a closed position, and vice versa, pivotable closure flap (8) for opening and closing the entry opening (5). As a further development of the dust filter bag (1), it is proposed that at least a partial area of ​​the collar (6) be related to a cross section in which the axis of rotation (7) of the closure flap (8) is a point, relative to a surface normal (9) of the entry level (4) is inclined at an angle (α) which is greater than 20° and less than 70°, preferably greater than 30° and less than 60°, more preferably greater than 40° and less than 50 °.