Vacuum Bag Collar Mounting for Secure Upright Cleaner Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Upright vacuum cleaners often have multiple complex parts that increase production costs and the likelihood of internal failures, leading to reduced longevity and increased weight.
Innovation Solution
A method for installing a vacuum bag with a collar that includes a mounting member that rotates to a fully closed position, ensuring correct orientation and latching, and a vacuum cleaner design with a motor housed in the wheel mount to reduce weight and manufacturing costs, featuring a semi-permeable dirt bag with a rigid collar and air impermeable membrane for improved cleaning and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple complicated parts are used for dirty air paths, handles, and bag mounts, then the vacuum cleaner can perform multiple functions, but production costs increase and the likelihood of internal part failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components into integrated assemblies. The bag mount bracket integrates the mounting structure, sealing mechanism, and alignment features into a single component. The dirty air path is consolidated into one continuous passage rather than multiple connected segments, reducing the number of parts while maintaining cleaning functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The bag mount bracket is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it secures the vacuum bag, provides sealing against leaks, guides proper bag orientation, and structures the dirty air path. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple complicated parts are used for dirty air paths, handles, and bag mounts, then the vacuum cleaner can perform multiple functions, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple functions into fewer components, the patent reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and inventoried. The integrated bag mount bracket and consolidated dirty air path structure require fewer manufacturing operations and assembly steps, directly lowering production costs while preserving functional capabilities.
3Reliability
If the collar is made of rigid material, then the vacuum bag can be securely mounted and sealed, but the bag becomes more difficult to install and remove
Solution Approach 1:
The bag mount bracket is pre-configured with alignment features, sealing surfaces, and retention mechanisms before the bag is installed. The rigid collar on the bag is designed with pre-formed engagement features that automatically align with the bracket during installation. This preliminary structuring ensures secure mounting while guiding the user through easy installation without requiring complex manual alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar and bracket feature asymmetric shapes with specific protrusions and corresponding voids that provide orientation guidance. This asymmetric design ensures the bag can only be installed in the correct orientation, securing reliable mounting while simplifying the installation process by eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures - the asymmetric features automatically guide proper positioning.
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 enhances the longevity and maneuverability of upright vacuum cleaners by reducing the number of parts, lowering production costs, and improving cleaning efficiency while maintaining suction power and extending the lifespan of components like the motor and belt.
Implementation Method 1
a semi-permeable dirt bag having a top edge
Implementation Method 2
an air impermeable membrane disposed opposite the first opening within the semi-permeable bag
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner with bag mount and disposable bag is described. In some embodiments, the vacuum bag may include a semi-permeable dirt bag having a top edge, a generally flat collar having a top edge, and a first opening in the collar configured to accept a dirty air nozzle, where the top edge of the vacuum bag does not extend beyond the top edge of the collar. In some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner may include a dirty air nozzle, a vacuum bag having a substantially rigid collar including a dirty air opening, and at least one void used for alignment of the collar; a mounting member releasably connected to the vacuum cleaner and movable between a loading position and a fully closed position, and a latch to releasably retain a top edge of the collar to keep the mounting member in the fully closed position.