Suction hose for a vacuum cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing suction hoses for vacuum cleaners, particularly those used with hand-held power tools, face difficulties in connecting the hose section to the connecting piece due to the jacket hose body needing to be reliably inserted into the hose receptacle, leading to assembly challenges.

Innovation Solution

A suction hose design where a mounting section of the dust removal hose body protrudes, and a holding element is fastened to the outer surface of the hose casing, covering the end face of the jacket hose body, allowing the hose section to be easily inserted into the receptacle and providing a secure connection by compressing the tubular body, which can be achieved through adhesive bonding, welding, or deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the outer hose body is inserted into the hose receptacle without additional retention mechanisms, then the assembly process is simple, but the connection reliability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A retaining element is introduced as an intermediary component between the outer hose body and the hose receptacle. This retaining element features an engagement portion that hooks onto the receptacle and a retention portion that secures the hose body, thereby mediating the connection and ensuring reliable attachment without requiring complex integrated structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system is segmented into distinct functional components: the hose body, the retaining element with separate engagement and retention portions, and the receptacle. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easier assembly and manufacturing while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the hose section is designed with complex retention mechanisms to ensure secure connection, then the connection reliability improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining element is designed to perform multiple functions automatically: the engagement portion self-attaches to the receptacle structure, while the retention portion simultaneously secures the outer hose body. This self-service design ensures reliable connection without requiring complex manual adjustment or additional fastening steps, maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the outer hose body is compressed to facilitate insertion into the receptacle, then the ease of operation improves, but the structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion easeVSAvoidhose structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining element is pre-positioned on the outer hose body before insertion into the receptacle. This preliminary placement allows the hose to be inserted in its normal structural state without compression, preserving structural integrity. The retaining element then engages with the receptacle to provide the necessary retention force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3651627B1Suction hose for a vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 FESTOOL GMBH
  • EP3651627B1 patent drawingFigure 1~9
  • EP3651627B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3651627B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a suction hose (30) for a vacuum cleaner (10), in particular for operation with a hand-held power tool (20), comprising a hose portion (31), which has a flexible dust removal hose body (40) and a flexible jacket hose body, in which the dust removal hose body (40) is arranged, wherein a suction flow channel (45) for conducting a suction flow (S) to the vacuum cleaner (10) extends between longitudinal ends (32, 33) of the hose portion (31), which suction flow channel is bounded by a hose jacket (41) of the dust removal hose body (40), a connection piece (90; 190; 290) for connecting to the hand-held power tool (20) or to the vacuum cleaner (10) is arranged at at least one longitudinal end (32, 33) of the hose portion (31), and the jacket hose body (50) and the dust removal hose body (40) extend into an interior of a hose receptacle (35) of the connection piece (90; 190; 290) such that the dust removal hose body is sheathed by the jacket hose body (50) into the hose receptacle (35). According to the invention, a mounting section (43) of the dust removal hose body protrudes beyond the jacket hose body in the hose receptacle (35) and a holding element (60) is fastened to an outer lateral surface (54) of the jacket hose body, which holding element covers an end face (52) of the jacket hose body (50), which end face is free toward the mounting section (43) of the dust removal hose body, the holding element (60) lying against an inner surface of the hose receptacle.