Vacuum Cleaner Bag Holding Plate With Low-Force Spring Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing holding plates for vacuum cleaner filter bags face challenges in opening and closing mechanisms, with sharp bending forces making complete opening difficult and dirt deposition impairing spring function, especially when the spring element is in the airflow path.

Innovation Solution

The spring element is arranged behind the closure element in the airflow direction, with a bending angle less than the opening angle, allowing for reliable and wide opening even with weak suction air flows, and is designed to be movable by the air flow, reducing wear and dirt impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the spring element is arranged in the airflow path to enable closure, then the closing function is achieved, but dirt is deposited on the spring causing wear and impaired function

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosing functionVSAvoiddirt deposition
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element is extracted from the airflow path and positioned in the rear region behind the closure element. This removes the harmful exposure to dirt and debris while preserving the closing function through the air flow's indirect action on the closure element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The closure element acts as an intermediary between the airflow and the spring element. The airflow acts on the closure element to indirectly operate the spring mechanism, preventing direct exposure of the spring to dirt while maintaining functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the bending force increases sharply with larger opening angles, then the closure element can be held firmly closed, but complete opening becomes difficult even with suction air flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosure holdingVSAvoidopening ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring characteristic is modified to change the bending force distribution across opening angles. The spring is designed so that bending force increases only weakly with larger opening angles, enabling complete opening while maintaining adequate closure holding through prestress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The spring element's dynamic response to airflow is optimized. The spring allows the closure element to pivot freely with weak airflow while still providing restoring force for closure, creating a dynamic system that adapts to different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the spring element is designed with high restoring force, then the passage opening remains closed to prevent dust escape, but the opening requires excessive force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust containmentVSAvoidopening force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The spring parameters are optimized to provide sufficient restoring force for dust containment while limiting the maximum bending force to reasonable levels. The spring characteristic curve is shaped to balance closure reliability with opening ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This design ensures easy and reliable opening of the passage opening with minimal bending force, preventing dust escape and reducing wear, while keeping the spring element out of the airflow path to maintain functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a spring element (6) which is designed in such a way that the bending angle (β) in a certain pivoting angle range when the through-opening (3) is opened by pivoting the closure element (4) is less than the corresponding opening angle (α)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the passage opening (3) can be opened reliably and wide, even with weak suction air flows

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid force: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP2012640B1Holding plate for a vacuum cleaner bag
Publication Date: 2010.07.07 EUROLIFTERS HLDG NV
  • EP2012640B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2012640B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a holding plate (1) for a vacuum cleaner bag with a base plate (2) with an opening (3), a locking element (4) arranged on the base plate with a horizontal swing to close the opening, and a spring element (6) arranged in such a way that the bending angle (B) of the spring element with a horizontal swing of the locking element in the opening direction brings the locking element out of the first position, in which the opening (3) is sealed, into the second position, in which the opening is open, in a previously determined swing angle range that is smaller than the corresponding opening angle (x) of the locking element (4), in such a way that the locking element can be brought from the second position into the first position by the restoring force of the spring element in the direction opposite to the opening direction, and the spring element is located behind the locking element in the opening direction.