Vacuum Cleaner Bag Spring-Hem Assembly for Automated Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of vacuum cleaner bags with two layers of filter material, which are unconnected at the inflow opening and feature a spring in the hem, is complex and not well-suited for automated methods.
Innovation Solution
A method and device where a spring is integrated into a pocket formed by folding filter material, allowing for the efficient assembly of vacuum cleaner bags with a hem around the inflow opening, using a device with stations for transporting, folding, and connecting the filter material and spring to create a closed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If two layers of filter material are welded together on three sides to form an inflow opening with a hem on the fourth side, then the vacuum cleaner bag structure is complete, but the production process becomes complex and difficult to automate
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is fed onto the filter material web in advance before the folding and welding operations. This preliminary positioning of the spring eliminates the need for complex post-assembly operations and enables automated production flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The hem formation and spring integration are combined into a single folding operation. The filter material is folded over the spring in one continuous motion, merging multiple operations (spring placement, hem folding, and securing) into one automated step.
2Reliability
If the spring is integrated into the hem around the inflow opening, then the inflow opening is biased into closed position, but the production process requires precise positioning and alignment
Solution Approach 1:
A profiling element on the spring serves as an intermediary alignment feature. The profiling engages with guide elements during folding, ensuring precise positioning of the spring relative to the filter material without requiring high-precision positioning equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is given a three-dimensional profiling (bulge or V-shaped curve) that translates positional information from one dimension to another during the folding process, enabling self-alignment through geometric constraints rather than precision positioning.
3Reliability
If the spring is folded by rotatable rollers to plastically deform and prestress the inflow opening, then the closed position is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Complex multi-axial folding mechanisms are replaced with simple rotatable rollers. The rollers provide the necessary plastic deformation and prestressing through their rotational motion and contact pressure, simplifying the device structure while achieving the desired mechanical effect.
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
Enables effective and automated production of vacuum cleaner bags with a spring-prestressed hem, improving the reproducibility and efficiency of the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
The spring can be folded by two rotatable rollers between which the pre-folded spring is passed. As a result, the spring can be plastically deformed during folding in order to prestress the inflow opening into the closed position
Implementation Method 2
The spring preferably has a profiling which serves to align the spring when folding the spring and the web of filter material. The profiling can be designed, for example, as a bulge or V-shaped curve into which a guide element, for example a sliding element, is inserted.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3c
Figure 4
AI summary
In a method for manufacturing a vacuum cleaner bag, a spring (10) is provided and fed to a web (20) of filter material, with a belt or another web of filter material being applied to arrange the spring (10) in a pocket. The web (20) of filter material and the spring (10) arranged in the pocket are then folded to join the pocket at the free ends of the spring (10) to complete a vacuum cleaner bag (1) with a hem (8) around an inlet opening (3). Furthermore, a device for manufacturing a vacuum cleaner bag (1) and such a vacuum cleaner bag (1) are provided.