Method for producing a dust container, and a connector plate thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dust container designs for vacuum cleaners are not optimized for efficient production and user convenience, particularly in ensuring correct installation and preventing dust leakage during bag replacement.
Innovation Solution
A method involving injection molding of a plastic connector plate with a flexible shutter that extends out of the main plane, featuring a central portion, extending portions, and a bridge with locking openings, allowing for easy folding and secure locking within the vacuum cleaner holder, and a ribbed structure for guided bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the connector plate is produced by injection molding with all features in the same plane, then the production process is simple, but the shutter cannot be properly formed and integrated with the connector plate
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is formed to extend out of the main plane of the connector plate during injection molding, utilizing the third dimension (depth/height) to create a folded structure. This allows the shutter to be integrated with the connector plate while maintaining proper spatial configuration for dust bag sealing, resolving the contradiction between simple planar production and complex 3D shutter integration
2Ease of manufacture
If the shutter is formed in the same plane as the connector plate, then the injection molding tool is simple, but the shutter cannot be folded to close the opening effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is molded extending out of the main plane at an angle, creating a pre-formed 3D structure that can be folded during assembly. This dimensional approach allows the shutter to achieve the closed position effectively while keeping the injection molding tool relatively simple, resolving the contradiction between tool simplicity and operational effectiveness
3Productivity
If the connector plate features are configured without considering future folding, then production is efficient, but the shutter cannot be properly folded over the connector plate
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is pre-formed during injection molding with the correct 3D configuration and extension out of the main plane, preparing it in advance for the folding operation. This preliminary action during manufacturing ensures that the shutter can be easily folded over the connector plate during assembly without requiring additional complex processing steps, resolving the contradiction between production efficiency and folding 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
Facilitates efficient production and easy user operation by ensuring correct installation, preventing dust leakage, and enabling the vacuum cleaner to detect proper bag insertion, thus preventing damage from unsealed dust flow.
Implementation Method 1
the connector plate is produced by injection molding a plastic material in a tool
Implementation Method 2
the connector plate further comprises a flexible shutter formed in one piece with the connector plate
Implementation Method 3
A locking feature, keeping the connector plate in a holder, may be provided in the bridge portion
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for producing a connector plate for a vacuum cleaner dust container, more particularly a connector plate (3) surrounding an opening (9) in a dust bag (5). The connector plate (3) can positions the opening (9) within a vacuum cleaner and is produced by injection molding a plastic material in a tool such that the connector plate extends in a main plane. The connector plate comprises a flexible shutter (21) formed in one piece with the connector plate, and in the tool, the shutter is formed to extend out of the main plane of the connector plate. This allows the shutter to extend in the same direction from a central portion of the connector plate as does another portion (13) of the connector plate.