Locking assembly for in-vehicle vacuum cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-mounted vacuum cleaners are inconvenient to use and difficult to install and remove, as they often require complex installations and may not be securely fastened, leading to debris spillage during vehicle use.
Innovation Solution
A modular vacuum cleaner with a locking assembly that includes a latch stay, latch, and latch lock, allowing for secure engagement and easy removal of the canister sub-assembly, along with an interlock assembly that secures the filter and prevents debris spillage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex and dedicated installation arrangement is used for in-vehicle vacuum cleaners, then the vacuum cleaner can be securely installed, but the usage is limited across different vehicles and arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum cleaner is divided into a main body and a removable canister sub-assembly. The canister can be detached and reattached to different positions on the vacuum cleaner body, allowing the same vacuum cleaner to be adapted to different vehicle spaces and configurations while maintaining secure installation through the latch mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum cleaner is designed with multiple possible mounting positions and configurations. The canister sub-assembly can be installed in various locations (front, rear, side) depending on the vehicle layout, making the vacuum cleaner universally adaptable to different vehicles and installation requirements
2Reliability
If a dedicated installation arrangement is used, then the vacuum cleaner can be securely mounted, but removal becomes time consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The canister sub-assembly is designed as a separate, removable component that can be quickly detached from the main body using a simple latch mechanism. This segmentation allows the canister to be removed and reattached rapidly without requiring complex tools or procedures, significantly reducing the time needed for removal and reinstallation
Solution Approach 2:
The canister sub-assembly is extracted as a独立的 removable unit from the main vacuum cleaner body. The latch mechanism allows for quick release and removal of the canister without affecting the rest of the vacuum cleaner system, enabling fast removal and maintenance operations
3Ease of operation
If the vacuum cleaner is permanently installed in a vehicle, then it is readily available for use, but components move around during vehicle use and debris may be spilled
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism incorporates a movable latch lock that can transition between engaged and disengaged states. When engaged, the latch securely holds the canister in place during vehicle operation, preventing movement and debris spillage. The dynamic nature of the latch allows for quick engagement and disengagement while maintaining stability during use
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism acts as an intermediary between the canister sub-assembly and the main body. It provides a secure connection during vehicle operation, preventing the canister from moving around and spilling debris, while still allowing for easy removal when needed through the release mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner configured to be mounted in a vehicle. The vacuum cleaner including a vacuum module configured to draw a vacuum, and a collector module configured to collect debris and coupled to the vacuum module. The collector module has a canister sub-assembly. A locking assembly for the canister sub-assembly includes at least one latch stay, a latch adapted to contact the latch stay, and a latch lock having a latch lock blade. The latch lock is moveable between a fully closed position, in which the latch lock blade contacts a panel member to maintain engagement between the latch and the at least one latch stay, and a fully open position. In the fully open position, the latch is disengaged from the at least one latch stay, enabling the canister sub-assembly to be removed from the collector module.