Connection device for connecting suction lines and vacuum cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting devices for suction lines, such as those between a vacuum cleaner's suction hose and handle tube, are difficult to handle and can inadvertently twist, leading to improper alignment and engagement of locking elements.
Innovation Solution
The connecting device incorporates alignment elements that ensure correct relative positioning of locking elements, preventing twisting and simplifying the connection process by arranging locking and alignment elements along the connection axis, with automatic engagement and a radially accessible actuating mechanism for easy disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If locking elements are designed to engage automatically during connection, then connection speed is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates due to twisting of the carrier part
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment elements are designed to engage in advance before the locking elements during the connection process. The alignment projection on the carrier part inserts into the alignment receptacle on the second connecting part first, establishing correct relative positioning. This preliminary alignment action prevents twisting and ensures that when the locking elements subsequently engage, they do so with proper alignment precision maintained throughout the connection.
2Ease of operation
If locking elements are arranged on the carrier part for automatic engagement, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unintended detachment and twisting
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment elements serve as intermediary components between the carrier part and the second connecting part. These alignment projections and receptacles act as mediators that guide the connection process, ensuring correct orientation is established before locking occurs. This intermediary alignment mechanism prevents unintended detachment and twisting by maintaining proper relative positioning throughout the connection and disconnection operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the carrier part is designed to be freely rotatable on the first connecting part, then adaptability is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates leading to improper locking element engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment elements are designed with asymmetric geometric features - the alignment projection has a specific shape that corresponds to a matching asymmetric alignment receptacle. This asymmetric design allows the carrier part to be freely rotatable during approach, but once the alignment projection engages with the alignment receptacle, it establishes a unique correct orientation. This asymmetric coupling prevents improper engagement of locking elements by ensuring only the correct rotational position allows full connection.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a connection device for connecting a first suction line (12) to a second suction line (14), in particular a suction hose of a vacuum cleaner having a handle tube or a suction nozzle, said connection device (10) comprising a first connection part (16) and a second connection part (18), which is aligned coaxially thereto, relative to a connection axis (28), to which connection parts the first suction line (12) and the second suction line (14) are fastened or can be fastened, a carrier part (20), which is held on the first connection part (16) rotatably about the connection axis (28), and at least one first locking element (80) arranged on the carrier part (20) and at least one second locking element (60) arranged on the second connection part (18), wherein the connection parts (16, 18) can be connected to each other in a connection direction (44) and the locking elements (60, 80) interlockingly and/or frictionally engage when the connection parts (16, 18) are in the connected state. In order to provide such a connection device having improved handling, according to the invention at least one first alignment element (76) is arranged on the carrier part (20) and interacts with at least one second alignment element (54) on the second connection part (18) upon when the connection parts (16, 18) connect to each other, in order to align the carrier part (20) and the second connection part (18) in a relative position to each other, in which the locking elements (60, 80) can couple to each other, and the at least one first locking element (80) and the at least one first alignment element (76) are arranged one behind the other along the connection axis (28) on the carrier part (20). The invention further relates to a vacuum cleaner for cleaning purposes having such a connection device.