Vacuum Cleaner Seal Segmentation for Bag Access and Airtight Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaners have a small clear cross-section opening when the housing cover is open, making it difficult to access and remove the dirt collection bag due to the protruding seal, which impairs the clear space and reduces accessibility.

Innovation Solution

The vacuum cleaner features a seal with at least two effective sections, one with a vertical and one with a horizontal direction of action, allowing the seal to be designed without protruding into the opening, facilitating access and maintaining a self-reinforcing sealing effect during operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the seal is arranged on the housing and protrudes into the opening for sealing the receiving space, then the sealing effect is improved, but the clear cross section of the opening is reduced making access difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectVSAvoidaccess to receiving space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is divided into at least two effective sections with different directions of action: a first effective section with vertical direction and a second effective section with horizontal direction. This segmentation allows each section to perform sealing in its optimal direction without requiring a single protruding structure that would block the opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seal transitions from a single-direction horizontal seal to a multi-dimensional seal with both vertical and horizontal effective sections. The vertical effective section allows the seal to act in the vertical dimension without protruding horizontally into the opening, thereby maintaining access while achieving sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the seal has horizontal direction of action to seal the engagement area, then the sealing is effective, but the stop surface must protrude into the opening obstructing access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectVSAvoidaccess to receiving space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is segmented into multiple effective sections, separating the horizontal sealing function (second effective section) from the vertical sealing function (first effective section). This allows the horizontal seal to work without requiring a protruding stop surface that would block the opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the seal have different local properties and directions of action. The first effective section has vertical direction suitable for one type of sealing, while the second effective section has horizontal direction for another type of sealing, allowing each local area to be optimized for its specific sealing requirement without compromising access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration enhances access to the dirt collection bag by eliminating obstructive components in the opening, while maintaining effective sealing, especially in the rear section where space is crucial for handling, and ensures the seal's effectiveness is increased by its interaction with stop surfaces during operation.

Implementation Method 1

a blower, by means of which a negative pressure can be generated. This negative pressure is used to generate an air flow, with the help of which any dirt particles are sucked up and directed towards the dirt collection bag

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

a peripheral seal that acts in an engagement area between the housing cover and the housing. The seal serves to seal the receiving space airtight against the surroundings of the vacuum cleaner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentEP3741276B1Vacuum cleaner for cleaning floors
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP3741276B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3741276B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3741276B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to a vacuum cleaner (1) for cleaning floor surfaces, comprising a housing (2), a receiving chamber (3) arranged in the housing (2) for receiving a dirt collection bag, a housing cover (4) associated with the receiving chamber (3), and at least one seal (6) circumferentially in an engagement area (5) of the housing cover (4) and housing (2) for airtight sealing of the receiving chamber (3) against the housing cover (4), wherein the housing cover (4) is transferable between a closed position closing the receiving chamber (3) and an open position releasing the receiving chamber (3). To provide a vacuum cleaner in which easier access to the receiving chamber is enabled, the invention proposes that the seal (6) has at least two effective sections (7, 8) in which the seal (6) has different directions of action.