Grill and flapper valve for a vacuum cleaner assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional on-board vehicle vacuum cleaners have complex installation arrangements, making them inconvenient to use across different vehicles and difficult to remove, with debris often entering airflow paths or spilling during removal, leading to inefficiencies in cleaning and debris disposal.
Innovation Solution
A modular vacuum cleaner assembly with a vacuum module and collector module, featuring a flapper valve and foam section on a grill insert, which keeps debris contained and prevents it from entering airflow paths, allowing for easy installation and removal while maintaining cleanliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated installation arrangement is used for on-board vehicle vacuum cleaners, then the vacuum cleaner can be permanently installed inside the vehicle, but the installation becomes complex and limits usage across different vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum cleaner assembly is divided into separate modular components: a vacuum cleaner body and a collector assembly that can be independently attached or detached. This segmentation allows the vacuum cleaner to be easily installed and removed without complex permanent mounting arrangements, while still providing reliable operation when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The collector assembly is designed as a universal component that can be attached to the vacuum cleaner body and functions as both a debris collection container and a mounting interface. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated installation arrangements for different vehicles, as the same collector assembly can be used across various vehicle types.
2Reliability
If a dedicated installation arrangement is used for on-board vehicle vacuum cleaners, then the vacuum cleaner can be permanently installed inside the vehicle, but removal becomes time consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the collector assembly from the vacuum cleaner body with a simple attachment interface, the system enables quick detachment without requiring tools or complex disassembly procedures. Users can rapidly remove the collector assembly to empty debris without spilling, significantly reducing the time and effort required for maintenance operations.
3Ease of operation
If the canister is removed from the vacuum cleaner assembly, then debris can be disposed of, but debris spills out of the canister and falls into other parts of the vacuum cleaner assembly
Solution Approach 1:
A flapper valve is introduced as an intermediary component at the canister opening. This valve automatically opens to allow debris disposal and then closes to prevent debris from spilling into the vacuum cleaner assembly during canister removal. The flapper valve acts as a mediator that enables easy debris disposal while simultaneously preventing the harmful effect of debris contamination.
4Ease of operation
If the canister is removed from the vacuum cleaner assembly, then debris can be disposed of, but debris enters the airflow path of the duct
Solution Approach 1:
The flapper valve serves as a protective intermediary that seals the canister opening during normal operation and automatically opens only when debris disposal is needed. This prevents debris from entering the airflow path while still allowing easy access for debris removal, eliminating the contamination problem without compromising operational ease.
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 modular design facilitates easy assembly and handling, prevents debris from entering airflow paths, and ensures efficient debris containment during removal, reducing operational time and improving cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Upon removal of the canister assembly from the collector module, the flapper valve moves to a closed position over the intake port of the canister assembly to keep debris contained in the canister assembly
Implementation Method 2
The intake end includes a foam section disposed on a grill insert for maintaining the foam section in place
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner assembly configured to be mounted in a vehicle. The vacuum cleaner assembly includes a vacuum module and a collector module configured to collect debris and operatively coupled to the vacuum module. The collector module includes a canister assembly with an intake port, an output port, and a flapper valve coupled to the intake port. An elbow assembly couples the vacuum module to the collector module and includes an intake end attached to the output port of the canister assembly. The intake end has a foam section disposed on a grill insert. Upon removal of the canister assembly from the collector module, the flapper valve moves to a closed position over the intake port of the canister assembly to keep debris contained in the canister assembly, and the grill insert and the foam section remain in place in the intake end of the elbow assembly.