Hose coupling system for a vacuum cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hose coupling systems for vacuum cleaners require high pull-out force and significant user effort to disconnect the suction hose, often necessitating a large connection piece that occupies excessive space and allows spurious air entry.
Innovation Solution
A hose coupling system featuring a spring-mounted holding clip with an actuable latching element and conical configuration to securely hold the connection piece in a form-fitting manner, minimizing spurious air entry while allowing easy release and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conical configuration is used for the connection piece and inlet fitting, then air-tightness is improved, but the pull-out force required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate functional elements: a conical connection piece for sealing, a cylindrical retention portion for mechanical retention, and a snap-fit latching mechanism. This segmentation allows the conical portion to provide air-tightness without bearing the full retention load, thereby reducing the pull-out force required while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
A snap-fit latching mechanism acts as an intermediary that provides additional retention force, allowing the conical connection piece to maintain air-tightness with minimal pull-out force. The latching mechanism engages with the cylindrical retention portion to prevent accidental disconnection while enabling easy intentional removal.
2Ease of operation
If a large connection piece is used to facilitate manual removal, then ease of operation is improved, but the space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection piece incorporates a snap-fit latching mechanism that transitions between locked and unlocked states, enabling easy manual removal without requiring a large size. The dynamic latching system provides secure retention during operation but allows quick release when needed, eliminating the need for oversized manual grip areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-fit latching mechanism is designed to be actuated by a simple finger press on the actuating surface, allowing the connection piece to serve itself for removal without requiring large manual manipulation. The spring-loaded latch automatically engages and disengages with minimal user input.
3Force
If a form-fitting retention is used without conical configuration, then pull-out force is reduced, but air-tightness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The solution merges three retention and sealing mechanisms into one integrated system: conical friction pairing for air-tightness, cylindrical form-fitting retention for mechanical support, and snap-fit latching for secure connection. This combination achieves both low pull-out force and excellent air-tightness by distributing functions across multiple elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the connection system have specialized functions: the conical portion provides air-tight sealing, the cylindrical portion provides form-fitting retention with minimal friction, and the latching mechanism provides secure connection. This local specialization allows each element to optimize its specific function without compromising overall performance.
4Ease of operation
If a spring-mounted holding clip with latching mechanism is added, then ease of release is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex latching mechanism is extracted as a separate, modular component that can be independently manufactured and assembled. The spring-mounted holding clip with latching mechanism is designed as a discrete unit that attaches to the simpler cylindrical retention portion, allowing the complexity to be isolated and managed separately from the basic retention structure.
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
The system enables a secure, air-tight connection that is easy to release, reducing user effort and space requirements, while minimizing spurious air entry through a conical configuration and sealing surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-mounted holding clip with an outer actuating surface
Implementation Method 2
a conical configuration of the connection piece, which, in interaction with a corresponding conical configuration of the inlet fitting, leads to a friction pairing
Implementation Method 3
The connection piece has a ring end surface which, when the connection piece is accommodated in the inlet fitting and latched therein, rests on a corresponding ring end surface of the inlet fitting. In the suction mode, the corresponding ring end surfaces suck onto one another and prevent, or at least minimize, undesired spurious air.
Implementation Method 4
The connection piece has a cylindrical sealing surface which, when the connection piece is accommodated in the inlet fitting and latched therein, rests on a corresponding cylindrical sealing surface of the inlet fitting
Data Source
AI summary
A hose coupling system including an inlet fitting, which is to be arranged or is arranged on a vacuum cleaner, and including a tubular connection piece, which is to be connected or is connected to a suction hose, wherein the connection piece is to be inserted into the inlet fitting in the coaxial direction, wherein the hose coupling system has an actuable latching element by means of which the connection piece can be held in the inlet fitting in a form-fitting manner and can be released again as required.