Vacuum Cleaner Dust Container Clamping for Airtight Inlet Sealing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaners face challenges in achieving optimal sealing between the waste separation and storage device and the main body, leading to impaired aeraulic performance due to the configuration of the clamping device and elastic return means.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum cleaner design featuring a waste storage container with a lateral stop that pivots under the pressure of elastic return means, ensuring optimal positioning and sealing of the air inlet against the connecting duct, thereby enhancing airflow performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If elastic return means exert pressure on the waste storage container to clamp it in the use position, then the clamping force is improved, but the sealing between the air inlet and connecting duct deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping forceVSAvoidsealing quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping function is segmented into two independent components: the elastic return means provides clamping force through vertical pressure, while the lateral stop provides sealing through horizontal positioning. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between clamping force and sealing quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lateral stop acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the waste storage container and the main body. It provides a dedicated sealing interface that is independent of the elastic return means, enabling the sealing function to be achieved without compromising the clamping force generated by the elastic return means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the waste storage container is clamped directly by elastic return means, then the clamping device is simple, but the aerodynamic performance deteriorates due to poor sealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping device structureVSAvoidaerodynamic performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping device is segmented into two functional elements: the elastic return means for clamping and the lateral stop for sealing. This segmentation maintains structural simplicity while improving aerodynamic performance through the dedicated sealing function of the lateral stop, which ensures proper alignment and sealing of the air inlet with the connecting duct.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lateral stop is designed to automatically engage and provide sealing when the waste storage container is inserted. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex adjustment mechanisms or additional sealing components, maintaining device simplicity while ensuring optimal sealing for aerodynamic performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the waste storage container pivots around a pivot point formed by the lateral stop and main body, then the sealing of the air inlet is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair inlet sealingVSAvoidpivot mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot function is merged with the lateral stop component. The lateral stop serves dual purposes: it provides the sealing interface for the air inlet and simultaneously acts as the pivot point for the waste storage container. This merging eliminates the need for a separate pivot mechanism, maintaining device simplicity while ensuring reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lateral stop is designed as a multi-functional element that performs three functions: (1) provides sealing for the air inlet, (2) acts as the pivot point for the waste storage container, and (3) guides the insertion of the container. This multi-functionality reduces the overall device complexity while achieving reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 configuration ensures improved airflow performance by maintaining a sealed fluidic connection between the air inlet and the connecting duct, facilitating efficient suction and dust collection.

Implementation Method 1

the clamping device comprising elastic return means exerting pressure on the waste storage container when the waste storage container is in the use position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the waste storage container comprises at least one lateral stop which, when the waste storage container is moved to the position of use, cooperates with the main body to form a pivot point around which the waste storage container pivots under the effect of the pressure exerted by the elastic return means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3698699B1Vacuum cleaner equipped with a clamping device for a waste storage container
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 SEB SA
  • EP3698699B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3698699B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3698699B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Vacuum cleaner comprising a main body (3); a waste storage container (8) removably mounted on the main body (3), the waste storage container (8) being able to be tilted between a use position and a withdrawal position and comprising an air inlet configured to be sealed with a connecting conduit (12) carried by the main body (3); and a clamping device (31) configured to clamp the waste storage container (8) in the use position, the clamping device (31) comprising elastic return means exerting pressure on the waste storage container (8).The waste storage container (8) has a lateral stop which cooperates with the main body (3) to form a pivot point around which the waste storage container (8) pivots under the effect of the pressure exerted by the elastic return means so that the air inlet of the waste storage container (8) is constrained against the connecting conduit (12).