Guide device for a vacuum cleaner with a vacuum cleaner bag, method for positioning a vacuum cleaner bag and holding plate

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaner bag guide devices are not compact and do not allow for precise positioning of the holding plate, leading to inefficiencies in space usage and handling.

Innovation Solution

A guide device with a pivotable closure flap and a base plate featuring a protruding guiding element that adapts to the vacuum cleaner bag's geometry, allowing for reduced installation volume and improved handling, along with a method for precise positioning using a straight and curved guiding section and a bendable web for enhanced flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the retaining plate is made relatively long to be guided with play in the guide device, then the retaining plate can be held with some play to ensure smooth operation, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates and the installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth operationVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device is divided into two functional sections: a straight guide section for guiding the base plate and a curved guide section for guiding the closure flap. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally - the straight section ensures smooth linear movement while the curved section enables precise angular positioning of the closure flap, thereby resolving the contradiction between smooth operation and positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element on the closure flap acts as an intermediary component that engages with the curved guide section. This intermediary mechanism translates the insertion motion into controlled pivoting of the closure flap, enabling smooth operation during installation while achieving precise angular alignment with the base plate, thus resolving the positioning accuracy issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the retaining plate is made relatively long to be guided with play, then the retaining plate can be held with some play, but the installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehandlingVSAvoidinstallation volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the guidance function into two separate sections (straight and curved), the design eliminates the need for a long retaining plate. The base plate only needs to engage with the straight guide section, while the closure flap engages with the curved guide section, significantly reducing the overall installation volume while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The curved guide section introduces a dimensional change from linear to angular guidance. This allows the closure flap to pivot into its final position through rotational movement rather than requiring a long linear insertion path, thereby reducing the installation volume while maintaining operational ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Force

If the closure flap is pre-tensioned into the closed position by a spring, then the closing force is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosing forceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure flap is pre-positioned and pre-aligned during the insertion process through the curved guide section, which automatically angles the flap into its closed position. This preliminary action eliminates the need for additional springs or complex tensioning mechanisms, achieving effective closing force through the guidance geometry alone while keeping the structure simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3571971B1Guide device for a vacuum cleaner with a vacuum cleaner bag, method for positioning a vacuum cleaner bag and holding plate
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 WOLF PVG GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3571971B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3571971B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3571971B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

In a guide device (30) of a vacuum cleaner with a vacuum cleaner bag, the vacuum cleaner bag is fixed to a retaining plate (1) with a base plate (2) on which an inlet opening (3) is formed, wherein a closing flap (4) is pivotably mounted on the base plate (2) by means of which the inlet opening (3) can be closed, wherein at least one protruding guide element (8) is formed on the closing flap (4) which is inserted into a guide device (30) of the vacuum cleaner. The invention further relates to a method for positioning a vacuum cleaner bag and a retaining plate.