Vacuum Cleaner Separator Snap-Fit for Centrifugal Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaner separators face challenges in easy assembly and reliable attachment due to high centrifugal forces, which can cause production-related flow seams to break and require complex reinforcement rings, making them expensive and difficult to clean.
Innovation Solution
The separator design features flexible webs held at one end, with latching contours at the free ends that secure under centrifugal force, allowing for easy assembly and reliable attachment without additional fasteners, using a snap-in connection that enhances with increasing speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fasteners (nut or screw connection) are used to install the separator, then the separator can be securely attached, but the assembly becomes difficult and the fastening element can tighten due to centrifugal forces making removal difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the fasteners (nuts or screws) from the separator assembly. Instead of using separate fastening elements, the separator is designed with an integrated connection structure where the flange ring itself forms the mounting interface, allowing direct attachment without additional fasteners that would complicate assembly and removal
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the flange ring and separator into an integrated structure where the flange ring is formed as one piece with the separator body. This combination eliminates the need for separate fastening components and creates a unified assembly that is both reliable to attach and easy to remove
2Reliability
If complex reinforcement rings (flanged rings or wire rings) are added to prevent flow seam breakage, then the separator becomes more reliable under centrifugal forces, but the manufacturing cost increases and cleaning becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the reinforcement function directly into the separator body by forming the flange ring as an integrated part of the injection-molded separator. This eliminates the need for separate reinforcement rings while maintaining structural integrity under centrifugal forces and preserving ease of cleaning
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters and structural design of the separator itself to withstand centrifugal forces. By optimizing the injection molding process and the geometry of the flange ring, the separator achieves the necessary strength without adding complex reinforcement elements
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
This design ensures secure attachment and easy removal of the separator without tools, reduces manufacturing costs, and prevents breakage under high centrifugal forces, facilitating efficient operation and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
Since the separator rotates at high speed when the vacuum cleaner is in operation, large centrifugal forces act on the webs. Through them, the webs are loaded with their free ends radially outwards, whereby the connection is additionally secured.
Data Source
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AI summary
The separator has a cover part (9) from which webs (8) protrude, which are provided one behind the other at a distance along the circumference of the cover part (9), forming passage openings (7). At least some of the webs (8) are not connected to one another at their end remote from the cover part (9). The webs (8) are designed to be elastically flexible transversely to their longitudinal direction. In the installed position, the webs (8) rest under radial pretension on a spider (5) which is firmly seated on the motor shaft (2) of the vacuum cleaner. Due to the centrifugal forces occurring during operation of the vacuum cleaner as a result of the high speed of the motor shaft (2), the free ends of the webs (8) of the separator (6) bear against the spider (5) with great force. The separator (6) is thus reliably taken along by the spider (5) by frictional force.