Vacuum Cleaner Hose Handle Rotation Without Slip Rings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handle arrangements for vacuum cleaner hoses require significant manufacturing effort and are prone to electrical connection faults due to the use of slip rings and slip ring contacts, which are difficult to maintain in dusty environments.

Innovation Solution

The electrical conductors from the hose are routed radially through an opening in the handle tube into a cavity of a handle part, forming a length supply loop, with a receiving space on the inner sleeve allowing for limited rotation without slip rings, and stops limiting the angle of rotation to prevent conductor kinking and overstretching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If slip rings and slip ring contacts are used to establish electrical connection between hose and handle assembly, then the handle assembly can be freely rotated by 360°, but the manufacturing effort increases considerably and the connection is prone to faults in dusty environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation freedomVSAvoidmanufacturing effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the slip ring assembly from the system. Instead of using complex slip rings and contacts, the invention uses simple electrical conductors that are routed through the handle tube and secured with adhesive tape. This removes the problematic component while maintaining the essential electrical connection function, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the expensive and complex slip ring assembly with inexpensive, simple electrical conductors and adhesive tape. These simpler components are easier to manufacture, replace, and maintain, effectively treating the electrical connection as a disposable or easily replaceable element rather than a permanent, complex assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If slip rings and slip ring contacts are used to establish electrical connection, then rotational movement is enabled, but the connection reliability decreases due to contamination in dusty atmospheres

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational handlingVSAvoidelectrical connection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the slip ring contacts that are susceptible to dust contamination. By using simple conductors that pass through the handle tube and are secured with adhesive tape, the system eliminates the contact surfaces that would otherwise accumulate dust and degrade electrical connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical conductors are designed to be self-securing through adhesive tape application, eliminating the need for complex mechanical contact systems. The conductors naturally maintain their position and electrical connection without requiring precision-machined surfaces that are vulnerable to environmental contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If electrical conductors are routed through the handle tube with limited rotation capability, then manufacturing effort is reduced, but the handling versatility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction effortVSAvoidrotation angle
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial rotation capability (limited rotation angle) rather than full 360° rotation. The electrical conductors are routed and secured to provide sufficient rotation for typical vacuum cleaner handling operations, accepting that extreme rotation angles are not necessary for the intended application. This partial action approach simplifies manufacturing while meeting practical needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2025280B1Gripping device on a vacuum cleaner hose
Publication Date: 2012.12.05 TRUPLAST KUNST STOFFTECHNIK GMBH
  • EP2025280B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2025280B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2025280B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The blocking device comprises at least one lock (1) for partial locking of the section join (2) and which is movable. The movement of the lock, relative to the section join, is coupled to the position of the saw blade (3) in the section join. The lock may be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the section join. The lock may be built as an angled band, whilst the section join may be built in a section join member (6) which may be made from wood, aluminium, composite or plastic.