Table-Mounted Vacuum Pump with Detachable Push Rod

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction devices for creating vacuums in food containers are limited by their size, weight, noise, and battery life, which restricts their power and ease of use, particularly when designed for handheld operation.

Innovation Solution

A compact, table-mounted suction device with a detachable push rod and flexible coil tube, featuring a motorized vacuum system with noise reduction and air humidity management, utilizing a crankcase, toothed belt, and pressure sensor to create a powerful and user-friendly vacuum.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the suction device is designed to be handheld and small-sized for ease of handling, then the device is more portable and user-friendly, but the power and battery life are necessarily limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of handlingVSAvoidsuction power
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The suction device is divided into two separate parts: a compact handheld push rod with activation switch for ease of operation, and a separate table-mounted base containing the motor and power supply for high suction power. The push rod connects to the base via a flexible coil tube, allowing the user to handle only the lightweight push rod while the powerful base remains stationary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Power

If all components (motor, control systems, vacuum pump) are integrated into a single table-mounted device, then the suction power is increased, but the device becomes bulkier and heavier

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction powerVSAvoidease of handling
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated design separates the heavy motorized base from the lightweight push rod. The base contains all power-intensive components (motor, vacuum pump, control systems) and remains stationary on the table, while the push rod is a simple handheld activation tool that users can easily maneuver to reach different containers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of repair

If the push rod is made detachable for easier cleaning and maintenance, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cleaningVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The push rod is designed as a detachable component that can be easily separated from the base for cleaning and maintenance. The air access system within the push rod is also segmented into removable parts, allowing users to disassemble and clean the internal channels without tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the air access system is designed with coaxial tubes for humidity management, then the air humidity control is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair humidity controlVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air access system employs nested coaxial tubes where one tube is positioned inside another. The inner tube carries air flow while the outer tube provides structural support and additional air intake. This nested configuration manages air humidity and condensation efficiently within a compact space, preventing moisture accumulation in the push rod.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

The solution provides a more powerful, quieter, and user-friendly suction device that maintains ease of handling and maneuverability while achieving a desired vacuum level with efficient operation and reduced noise.

Implementation Method 1

a suction device for creating a vacuum inside containers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

connected to said vacuum pump by a flexible coil tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

a motor for actuating said pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 4

more noiseless... suction devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound transmission: Sound

Data Source

PatentEP1880946B1Suction device for creating a vacuum inside containers, in particular food containers
Publication Date: 2010.06.30 MAINA GERMANO
  • EP1880946B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1880946B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP1880946B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention refers to a suction device (1) for creating a vacuum inside containers, such as basins, glasses and the like, of the kind used to preserve perishable products and in particular foodstuff. The suction device (1) according to the invention comprises a vacuum pump, a motor (8) for actuating said pump and control systems all placed inside a single device designed to be placed on a table, as well as a detachable push rod (3), connected to said vacuum pump by a coil tube (4), suitable to couple to a valve element generally provided on the cover of the foodstuff containers, to link the inside of the container to the vacuum pump when the device is actuated. The fact of having all the devices placed inside a single apparatus, which is separate from the push rod (3) and designed to be placed on a table, permits to create more powerful and noiseless, and at the same time more user-friendly, suction devices, since the user has to handle only one push rod for the connection to the container and not a device, which comprises also the motor and different suction systems, which would be more bulky and heavier.