Suction Head Hose Winding Design to Prevent Sagging and Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaners lack an efficient and space-saving method for storing suction hoses, which can lead to sagging and damage when wound around the device.

Innovation Solution

A suction head with a side wall serving as a winding core, featuring a holding element arranged near the lower edge to secure the hose against falling and a securing element that runs between the holding element and a fixing point at a height distance, allowing the hose to be wound around the side wall in multiple turns without protruding beyond the upper side.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the suction hose is wound around the vacuum cleaner body, then the storage space is utilized, but the hose sags and touches the floor causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage space utilizationVSAvoidhose damage from sagging
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The side wall is divided into multiple holding elements positioned at different heights, creating segmented support points along the hose length. This segmentation prevents the hose from sagging between supports while maintaining compact winding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding elements extend protrudingly from the side wall in a direction perpendicular to the winding plane, creating a third dimension for hose support. This dimensional extension prevents the hose from touching the floor while wound around the vacuum cleaner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple holding elements are added to prevent hose sagging, then hose protection improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehose sagging preventionVSAvoidnumber of holding elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding elements serve multiple functions: they support the hose vertically, prevent lateral displacement, and provide structural reinforcement to the side wall. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The holding elements are integrated directly into the side wall structure, merging the support function with the existing housing. This integration avoids adding separate complex mechanisms while achieving effective hose support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the hose is secured tightly to prevent lateral falling, then hose stability improves, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehose stabilityVSAvoidhose installation and removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holding elements are designed with flexible characteristics that allow dynamic adjustment. The hose can be easily inserted and removed when needed, while the holding elements provide sufficient friction and geometric constraint to maintain stability during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2559366B1Suction head, sucker and method for storing a suction hose of a sucker
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP2559366B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2559366B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2559366B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A suction head with a side wall (26) is provided, with at least one holding element (48) being arranged on the side wall, by means of which a suction hose (22) can be supported against falling downwards and which is arranged and designed in such a way that the suction hose in a plurality of turns (53,62,64) around the side wall (26) can be wound.