Two-Component Vacuum Cleaner Bumper Strip for Precise Housing Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaner housings face challenges in simplifying the connection of housing parts while preventing misalignment due to manufacturing tolerances, requiring complex fastening methods despite the use of elastic bumper strips.

Innovation Solution

A two-component plastic bumper strip is designed with an H-shaped hard component and a soft coating, featuring joining elements that allow for positive locking, snap-in connections, adhesive bonds, or welds, and additional functional elements like a parking receptacle and screw-on tube for simplified assembly and enhanced protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a one-component elastic bumper strip is used to cover joints, then shock absorption is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to misalignment between housing parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock absorptionVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bumper strip is divided into two functional components: a hard H-shaped mounting component that provides dimensional stability and precise positioning, and a soft coating layer that provides shock absorption. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its primary function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bumper strip combines two materials with different properties: a hard plastic (e.g., polypropylene) for the H-shaped mounting component that resists deformation and ensures precise alignment, and a soft elastic material (e.g., thermoplastic elastomer) for the coating that absorbs shocks. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between shock absorption and alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If complex fastening methods are used at joints, then manufacturing precision is improved by preventing misalignment, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidfastening complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting function and the protective function are merged into a single integrated bumper strip component. The H-shaped hard component provides both the mounting structure and the alignment features, eliminating the need for separate fastening elements and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The H-shaped bumper strip structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mounting attachment points, defines alignment geometry through its rigid structure, and integrates the protective coating. This self-sufficient design eliminates the need for additional complex fastening systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If a two-component H-shaped bumper strip with soft coating is used, then dimensional stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The soft coating is applied as a preliminary step before final assembly, allowing the hard H-shaped component to be manufactured with precise dimensions first, ensuring dimensional stability, and then the protective coating is added to provide shock absorption without interfering with the precision mounting features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution provides effective shock absorption and dimensional stability, simplifying the manufacturing and assembly process by allowing for easier alignment and integration of housing parts, while also serving as a protective feature for the vacuum cleaner and furniture.

Implementation Method 1

the shock band is designed as a two-component plastic component and includes an H-shaped hard component, on the outwardly directed leg of which a coating in the form of a soft component is arranged. On the one hand, this ensures good shock absorption

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShock absorption: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2409620B1Vacuum cleaner housing with a lower housing section, an upper housing section and a liner tape
Publication Date: 2016.12.14 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP2409620B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2409620B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

The vacuum cleaner housing (2) has a lower housing section, an upper housing section and a liner tape (10) rotating the housing in certain areas. The liner tape is arranged in the area of a joint between the lower housing section and the upper housing section. The liner tape is formed as a two-component plastic component and has an H-shaped hard component.