Vacuum Cleaner Plug Shaft Assembly With Detachable Blind Frame

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaner assembly methods require manual intervention and cannot be easily automated due to gap dimensions between housing and plug shaft components, affecting the visual appearance and ease of assembly and disassembly.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a detachable window frame with holding and fastening elements that latch onto the housing part, allowing for automated assembly and disassembly while maintaining a closed plug shaft, and optimizing the design for improved aesthetics by minimizing visible gaps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the housing part is placed directly vertically on the base part during assembly, then the assembly process should be simpler, but the plug shaft protrudes too far and prevents the housing part from being pushed past the plug

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plug shaft is divided into two separate parts: a lower part that extends from the cable drum and an upper part that is formed by the housing part itself. This segmentation allows the housing part to be placed directly vertically on the base part without the plug protruding and blocking the assembly process, thereby simplifying the overall assembly operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the housing part fit over a complete plug shaft, the solution inverts the relationship by making the housing part itself form the upper part of the plug shaft. This inversion resolves the blocking issue during assembly while maintaining the functional integrity of the plug shaft.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Extent of automation

If the plug shaft is split horizontally to allow automated assembly, then automated assembly becomes possible, but additional gap dimensions are created that impair the visual impression

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated assembly capabilityVSAvoidvisual appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The upper part of the plug shaft and the housing part are merged into a single integrated component. This merging eliminates the visible gap between separate parts while still allowing the housing part to be placed vertically during automated assembly, thus achieving both automation and aesthetic goals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing part serves dual functions: it provides the structural housing and simultaneously forms the upper part of the plug shaft. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components that would create visual gaps, while maintaining the automated assembly capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If manual assembly is required to thread the plug through the opening, then proper assembly is ensured, but automation becomes difficult or impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly accuracyVSAvoidautomation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The plug shaft is segmented into lower and upper parts, with the upper part being formed by the housing part itself. This segmentation removes the obstruction that previously required manual threading, allowing the housing part to be placed vertically during automated assembly while maintaining proper alignment and fit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The upper part of the plug shaft is prepared in advance by forming it as an integral part of the housing part. This preliminary action ensures that during automated assembly, the housing part can be directly placed vertically without requiring manual intervention to thread the plug through the opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2374388B1Vacuum cleaner and method for its production
Publication Date: 2013.01.23 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP2374388B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2374388B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2374388B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The vacuum cleaner has a housing part (30) and a connector shaft (10), where the housing part has an opening or recess. The connector shaft comes from a cable drum (12). The connector shaft comprises a holding element (14) for detachable combination with a blind frame (16) for the connector shaft. The blind frame comprises a fastening element (24) corresponding to the holding element. The fastening element is formed at a rear side of the blind frame. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing a vacuum cleaner.