Wet/Dry Vacuum Tool Coupling with Latching and Sealing Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wet/dry vacuum tools lack efficient mechanisms for secure coupling and coordinated operation with containment tools, leading to potential leakage and pressure drops during cleaning tasks.
Innovation Solution
The integration of latching mechanisms, tolerance rails, and sealing interfaces between vacuum and cleaning fluid nozzles allows for secure coupling of cooperating wet/dry vacuum tools, ensuring airtight and efficient delivery of cleaning fluids and suction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional coupling mechanisms are used between vacuum tools and containment tools, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of sealing and pressure maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into separate functional components: a coupling mechanism with latching elements for mechanical connection, and a sealing mechanism with sealing elements for fluid tightness. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to provide reliable coupling without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism is nested within the coupling mechanism structure. The sealing elements are positioned inside the coupling assembly, allowing the sealing function to be integrated into the existing coupling framework without requiring a completely separate sealing system, thus maintaining reliability while controlling complexity.
2Reliability
If secure coupling mechanisms are implemented, then the reliability of vacuum pressure maintenance is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism incorporates movable latching elements that can transition between engaged and disengaged states. The latching members are designed to automatically engage when tools are coupled and can be easily released when needed, providing secure pressure maintenance during operation while allowing quick setup and teardown when the vacuum system is not in use.
3Productivity
If simplified containment tools are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity of cleaning tasks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The containment tool is designed with universal coupling interfaces that can work with various vacuum tool types (crevice tools, dusting brushes, etc.). The standardized coupling mechanism allows a single containment tool design to serve multiple cleaning functions and accommodate different tool configurations, enhancing productivity without requiring complex specialized designs for each tool type.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is generally directed to vacuum tools. In one example, a first wet/dry crevice tool is provided that can be coupled to a vacuum source and a cleaning fluid source. The first tool includes a vacuum orifice and a cleaning fluid nozzle assembly coupled to a cleaning fluid actuation mechanism to controllably deliver cleaning fluid to a target area to be cleaned. The vacuum orifice is configured to sealingly interface with another cooperating tool. The first tool includes latching mechanisms and tolerance rails to enable secure coupling of the first tool to another cooperating tool, for example a wet/dry containment tool.