Vacuum Cleaner Filter Bag Assembly with Registration Interlock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaner designs face challenges in user-friendly insertion and removal of dust filter bags, with inadequate mechanisms to ensure proper alignment and prevent closure when the bag is not inserted, potentially leading to operational issues.

Innovation Solution

A U-shaped engagement space on the holding plate allows the registration projection to move into it when the dust filter bag is inserted, ensuring alignment and blocking the closure lid if the bag is not present, while providing a hygienic and accessible area for gripping the bag during insertion and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking element is provided to prevent closure when the dust filter bag is not inserted, then operational reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The registration projection serves dual functions: it acts as both a positioning element for correct alignment of the dust filter bag and as a blocking element that prevents closure when the bag is not inserted. By combining these two functions into a single structural feature, the patent avoids adding separate locking mechanisms while maintaining operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the registration projection blocks the closure lid when the bag is not inserted, then operational errors are prevented, but ease of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of operational errorsVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The registration projection automatically performs the blocking function without requiring user intervention. When the dust filter bag is not inserted, the projection naturally extends to block the closure lid, providing self-service error prevention. The system self-regulates based on the presence or absence of the bag, eliminating the need for separate controls or user actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the engagement space is made accessible for gripping, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement space serves multiple functions: it provides a gripping area for easy insertion and removal of the dust filter bag, defines the U-shaped boundary for registration projection movement, and contributes to the overall structural integration of the retaining plate. By making the engagement space accessible, the patent improves ease of operation while the multi-functional design prevents significant complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3677159B1Assembly of a dust filter bag in a vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH
  • EP3677159B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3677159B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3677159B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement of a dust filter bag (4) with a retaining plate (11) and a dust bag (12) attached to the retaining plate (11) in a vacuum cleaner (1), in particular in an electrically operated vacuum cleaner (1), optionally also in a vacuum cleaner (1) in the form of a self-propelled floor cleaning device, wherein the retaining plate (11) has a preferably closable inlet opening (18) for dust-laden air flowing in an inlet direction (a) substantially perpendicular to an opening surface of the inlet opening (18), wherein the vacuum cleaner (1) further comprises a filter chamber (3) for receiving the dust filter bag (4) and a suction/blowing nozzle (32) to which an inserted dust filter bag (4) is connected, wherein the filter chamber (4) is further provided with a hinged closure cover (13) for removing and inserting the dust filter bag (4).which has a registration projection (15), wherein closing of the closure cover (13) is only possible when the registration projection (15) interacts with an inserted dust filter bag (4). In order to provide an advantageous arrangement of the dust filter bag with regard to detecting an inserted dust filter bag, the invention proposes that, in the closed position of the closure cover (13), the registration projection (15) is retracted into an engagement space (25) of the retaining plate (11) that is U-shaped in cross-section and open in the direction of the registration projection (15).