Vacuum Cleaner Bag Holder Locking for Wide-Open Dust Bag Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaners face issues with the 'bag lock' mechanism, which prevents the lid from closing without a dust bag, leading to either cumbersome dust bag insertion/removal or a weak bag lock that can be easily bypassed, due to the dependency on the receiving device's stop position and opening angle.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner design where the bag lock is controlled by the lid, using a control element that moves the receiving device into a position where a contact element engages with a counter-contact element to prevent lid closure, allowing for a large opening angle for easy dust bag insertion/removal and a secure lock by minimizing the gap between the lid and dust collection chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the receiving device is swung out as far as possible to simplify dust bag removal and insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the bag lock becomes weak and can be easily bypassed by the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the control relationship: instead of the receiving device's stop position controlling the bag lock, the lid's closing action now controls the receiving device's position via the control element. This inversion ensures that when the lid is properly closed, the control element pushes the receiving device into the correct position for secure locking, while still allowing easy access when the lid is open.
Solution Approach 2:
The control element acts as an intermediary between the lid and the receiving device. When the lid is closed, the control element transfers the closing force to the receiving device, moving it into the locked position. This intermediary mechanism ensures that the bag lock is activated only when the lid is properly closed, maintaining security while allowing easy operation.
2Reliability
If the opening angle between the lid and dust collection chamber is made small to secure the bag lock, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation for dust bag insertion and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the receiving device's position dynamic rather than fixed. The receiving device can be swung out to a large opening angle when the lid is open for easy dust bag access, and is automatically pushed to the correct locked position when the lid is closed. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between security and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control element performs preliminary action by pushing the receiving device into the correct position before the lid closing is completed. This ensures that the contact element and counter-contact element are properly aligned and engaged, securing the bag lock before the lid fully closes, while still allowing the lid to open wide for dust bag insertion.
3Ease of operation
If the receiving device is made pivotable to allow easy dust bag removal and insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the bag lock becomes undefined and may no longer grip securely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces feedback through the control element that responds to the lid's closing action. When the lid is closed, the control element detects this action and automatically pushes the receiving device into the correct position, ensuring the contact element engages with the counter-contact element. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable locking despite the receiving device's pivotability.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 5a
AI summary
The vacuum cleaner (10) has a dust collecting space (22) lockable by a cover (12), and a receiving device (26) for a dust bag (20) is pivotally arranged in the dust collecting space. A control element (24) is arranged at the cover, which moves the receiving device in a position, in which a contact element engages in a counter-contact element. The counter-contact element is arranged on the receiving device and the contact element is arranged in the cover.