Dust Collection Unit Intermediate Coupling for External Filter Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dust separation units for vacuum cleaners are complex and costly to manufacture, and lack an efficient means to drive internal cleaning devices from external sources, making them difficult to clean and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A dust separation unit with an intermediate clutch that includes a counter drive coupling accessible from outside, allowing a drive, such as a motor, to be used to rotate a filter cleaner within the unit, while the clutch's disk-shaped edge covers the opening in the wall, providing a simple and aesthetically pleasing solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a drive system with multiple coupling elements is used to rotate the filter cleaner, then the filter cleaner can be effectively driven from outside the dust separation unit, but the structural complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple coupling functions into a single intermediate coupling element that integrates both the drive coupling interface and the driven coupling interface. This merging of functions reduces the total number of separate coupling components while maintaining the ability to transmit rotational force from the external drive to the internal filter cleaner, thereby reducing structural complexity and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate coupling is designed as a multi-functional component that serves multiple purposes: it acts as both a drive coupling and a driven coupling, provides structural support for the filter cleaner assembly, and enables the transmission of rotational motion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated coupling components for each function, simplifying the overall drive system structure.
2Strength
If the wall of the dust separation unit is made solid to enclose the unit, then structural integrity is improved, but access for driving internal components from outside becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The drive coupling and driven coupling are nested within the wall structure of the dust separation unit. The intermediate coupling is positioned such that its drive coupling interface is accessible from the external environment while its driven coupling interface is accessible from the internal environment, all while maintaining the enclosed structural integrity of the wall. This nesting approach allows drive transmission through the wall without compromising structural strength.
3Ease of operation
If an opening is provided in the wall for drive access, then external drive can operate internal components, but the aesthetic appearance and structural integrity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling elements are nested within recesses or cavities in the wall structure, allowing the drive transmission function to be integrated into the wall itself rather than requiring external openings. The intermediate coupling's peripheral edge is seated in an annular groove in the wall, creating a smooth transition that maintains the aesthetic appearance while enabling functional access.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate coupling acts as an intermediary element that bridges the external drive system and the internal filter cleaner system. Its peripheral edge seated in the annular groove of the wall serves as a mediator that transmits drive force while maintaining the visual integrity of the wall surface, effectively hiding the mechanical interface within the structural design.
Data Source
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AI summary
A dust collection unit (5) for a stick vacuum cleaner, wherein the dust collection unit (5) has a wall that at least partially encloses the dust collection unit (5). The wall of the dust collection unit (5) has an intermediate coupling (12) with a drive coupling (15) accessible from the outside of the dust collection unit (5) and an output coupling (16) accessible from the inside of the dust collection unit (5). The present invention makes it possible to design a dust collection unit (5) with structurally simple and cost-effective means such that a drive arranged outside the dust collection unit (5), for example a cleaning motor, can drive a device located in the dust collection unit (5), for example a cleaner. The invention can cover any opening in the wall of the dust collection unit (5) required for this purpose in an aesthetically satisfactory manner.