Vacuum Cleaner Filter Bag Plate Hinge for Curved Guide Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing holding plates for vacuum cleaner filter bags face reliability and manufacturing complexity issues due to the use of film hinges, which can be weakened by recycled plastics and are costly to produce, especially when using injection molding.

Innovation Solution

A holding plate design comprising three plates in parallel planes, where one plate has lower flexural rigidity than the others, forming a hinge without a weakening line, allowing for increased flexibility and reliability, and enabling the use of recycled plastics and thermoplastic elastomers for improved sealing and manufacturing simplicity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If film hinges are used to make the holding plate flexible, then the holding plate can adapt to curved guides, but the reliability decreases due to mechanical weakness and susceptibility to failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to curved guidesVSAvoidmechanical reliability of hinge
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holding plate is divided into multiple plates (first plate, second plate, third plate) connected via hinge elements. This segmentation allows each plate to maintain structural integrity while the assembly achieves flexibility through the hinge connections between segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite construction with rigid plates (first and second plates) connected by a flexible hinge element (third plate with lower flexural rigidity). This composite approach combines the advantages of rigid structures with hinge flexibility, achieving both reliability and adaptability to curved guides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If film hinges are used to create flexibility in the holding plate, then curved guides can be accommodated, but the manufacturing cost increases due to expensive injection molding processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to curved guidesVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the holding plate into multiple plates connected by hinges, the design allows for simpler manufacturing of individual components. The hinge elements can be manufactured separately and assembled, avoiding the need for complex injection molding of a monolithic flexible structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding plate design incorporates movable hinge connections between plates, enabling dynamic adaptation to curved guides. This dynamic structure achieves flexibility through simple hinge mechanisms rather than requiring complex molded flexible components, reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If recycled plastics are used in film hinges, then ecological requirements are met, but the mechanical strength and reliability of the hinge further deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveecological impactVSAvoidmechanical strength of hinge
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holding plate uses a composite structure where rigid plates (first and second plates) provide structural strength and reliability, while the hinge element (third plate) provides flexibility. This composite approach allows the use of recycled plastics in the hinge without compromising overall mechanical strength, as the rigid plates bear the primary structural loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the holding plate have different quality requirements. The hinge area (third plate) can use recycled plastics with lower mechanical strength since it only requires flexibility, while the main structural plates (first and second plates) use materials with higher strength requirements, optimizing both ecological and mechanical performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Device complexity

If a monolithic holding plate design is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to curved guides without adding complex flexible elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to curved guides
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The holding plate is segmented into multiple plates (first plate, second plate, third plate) connected by hinge elements. This segmentation maintains relative structural simplicity while enabling adaptation to curved guides through the hinge connections, avoiding the need for complex monolithic flexible designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding plate incorporates hinge connections between plates that allow dynamic movement and adaptation to curved guides. This dynamic segmented structure achieves versatility without requiring a complex monolithic design, maintaining simplicity through modular construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution enhances the functional reliability and flexibility of the holding plate, allowing it to adapt to curved guides while being simpler and more cost-effective to manufacture, with the option to use recycled plastics and thermoplastic elastomers for enhanced sealing and durability.

Implementation Method 1

the third plate having a lower Flexural rigidity than the first panel and the second panel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlexural rigidity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3838095B1Holding plate for a vacuum cleaner filter bag
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 EUROLIFTERS HLDG NV
  • EP3838095B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3838095B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3838095B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention comprises a retaining plate (1) comprising a first plate (2) and a second plate (3) arranged in a first plane, and a third plate (8) arranged in a second plane parallel to the first plane, wherein the third plate (8) has a lower bending stiffness than the first plate (2) and the second plate (3), wherein the first plate (2) and the second plate (3) are connected to each other via the third plate (8) in such a way that a hinge is formed between the first plate (2) and the second plate (3), about whose hinge axis (A) the first plate (2) and/or the second plate (3) with the respective part of the third plate (8) connected thereto can be bent.