Vacuum Cleaner Movable Connector Design for Simplified Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of vacuum cleaner components, such as the main body and handle, is complex due to the need for precise alignment of electrical connector terminals, making it difficult to establish a reliable and easy connection.

Innovation Solution

The vacuum cleaner design incorporates movably mounted connector parts transversely to the assembly direction, ensuring self-centering of the connector terminals, which simplifies the assembly process by allowing easy matching of connection terminals and provides a secure electrical connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If fixed connector parts are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but assembly complexity increases due to alignment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector structureVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connector part is designed with movable mounting that allows transverse displacement during assembly. This dynamic capability enables the connector to self-center and align with mating terminals automatically, transforming a static alignment problem into a dynamic self-adjusting process that simplifies assembly while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If precise alignment of connection terminals is required, then connection reliability is improved, but assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The movable mounting configuration enables the connector to perform self-alignment and self-centering automatically during assembly. The connector part displaces transversely to find its correct position and establishes reliable terminal-to-terminal contact without requiring external alignment tools or procedures, thereby ensuring connection reliability while minimizing assembly time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If movable connector parts are added, then assembly ease is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidconnector structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector assembly is segmented into the connector part and the mounting mechanism. The mounting mechanism provides the movable capability while the connector part maintains its simple terminal structure. This segmentation allows the complexity to be isolated to a small auxiliary mechanism rather than the entire connector, thereby improving assembly ease without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3708057B1Vacuum cleaner comprising a mobile connector portion
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 SEB SA
  • EP3708057B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3708057B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3708057B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The vacuum cleaner comprises a first element (3) and a second element (4) configured to be assembled with each other along an assembly direction. The first and second elements (3, 4) are respectively provided with a first connector portion (12) and a second connector portion (13) of an electrical connector (15) that establishes an electrical connection between the first and second elements (3, 4) when the first and second elements (3, 4) are assembled together. At least one of the first and second connector portions (12, 13) is mounted to move transversely to the assembly direction.