Modular Adapter Plate Assembly for Stable Cleaning Device Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adapter devices for cleaning devices require large surface areas, leading to unreliable connections and increased weight, making handling and transportation cumbersome and costly.

Innovation Solution

A modular adapter plate system divided into two or more parts that can be separately mounted on the cleaning device, allowing for flexible alignment and access to the carrying handle, reducing weight and material usage while providing secure container attachment options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a large surface area adapter plate is used to accommodate containers, then container stability is improved, but device weight increases and handling becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer stabilityVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter plate is divided into a first adapter plate portion and a second adapter plate portion that can be separately mounted on the cleaning device. This segmentation reduces the weight of each individual adapter plate component while collectively providing sufficient surface area to support containers, thus resolving the contradiction between container stability and device weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If a tool-free assembly method is used for the adapter plate, then ease of installation is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter plate is segmented into multiple portions that can be installed separately using tool-free assembly methods. Each portion can be independently secured to the cleaning device housing, maintaining ease of installation while distributing the connection points to ensure overall connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple adapter plate portions are combined to form a complete adapter plate assembly. The first and second portions work together to provide both tool-free installation capability and reliable connection through distributed mounting points on the cleaning device housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the carrying handle is integrated into the adapter plate, then lifting capability is improved, but connection reliability during transport deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting capabilityVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The carrying handle function is extracted from the adapter plate and provided separately as part of the cleaning device housing. This allows the adapter plate portions to be securely mounted without the handle interfering with their connection to the housing, ensuring connection reliability during transport while maintaining lifting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Area of stationary object

If a large adapter plate is used to cover the entire top surface, then container support area is improved, but material consumption and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer support areaVSAvoidmaterial consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter plate is segmented into a first adapter plate portion and a second adapter plate portion, each made from smaller amounts of material. Collectively, these portions provide the necessary container support area while reducing total material consumption and manufacturing cost compared to a single large adapter plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3193689B1Adapter plate
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 NILFISK AS
  • EP3193689B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3193689B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3193689B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

An adapter device for arranging a container (4, 6) on the upper face (5) of a cleaning device (9), said adapter device consisting of an adapter plate (1, 2) with a support surface (13, 15) and at least one locking element for locking the container in place on the (4, 6) adapter plate. The adapter plate (1, 2) is divided into at least two parts and consists of a front adapter plate (1) and a rear adapter plate (2) which can be separately mounted on the upper face (5) of the cleaning device (9).