Window Vacuum Suction Nozzle Latching Design for Easy Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing portable hard surface cleaning devices face difficulties in easily inserting and removing the end section of the suction channel into and from the receiving shaft of the separation chamber due to the misalignment of housing half-shells caused by screw domes and connecting screws being distant from the rear end section of the suction channel.

Innovation Solution

A baffle plate is used as a latching element to lock the two housing half-shells together, forming a locking connection at the end of the suction channel, allowing for easy insertion and removal while ensuring a secure fit, and also functions as a separation device for liquid from the liquid-air mixture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If connecting screws are arranged at a clear distance from the rear end section of the suction channel, then the housing half-shells can be securely fastened, but the insertion and removal of the suction channel end section into the receiving shaft becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidease of insertion and removal
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into two distinct zones: the front housing half-shells are secured with connecting screws for strong fastening, while the rear end section uses a screw-free receiving shaft design for easy insertion and removal. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting screws are extracted from the rear end section area, creating a clear zone free from fastening elements. This extraction allows the suction channel end section to be freely inserted into and removed from the receiving shaft without interference from screw domes or fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the baffle plate forms a latching element, then the housing half-shells can be easily locked together, but the structure becomes more complex

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

Solution Approach 1:

The baffle plate performs multiple functions simultaneously: it separates liquid from the liquid-air mixture, structurally connects the two housing half-shells, and acts as a latching element for easy assembly. By merging these functions into a single component, the overall structural complexity is minimized while achieving multiple objectives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The baffle plate is designed as a multi-functional element that combines liquid separation, structural support, and latching capabilities. This universal design allows a single component to fulfill multiple roles, reducing the total number of parts needed and simplifying the overall device structure.

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

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 solution simplifies the assembly and disassembly of the suction nozzle part, enhances the reliability of the connection between housing half-shells, and improves the separation efficiency of liquid from the air, facilitating easier maintenance and operation of the device.

Implementation Method 1

Liquid can separate on the baffle plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact separation:

Implementation Method 2

Liquid can separate on the baffle plate and can drop off the baffle plate into the dirty liquid receptacle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity separation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

By means of the suction unit, a suction flow can be generated in the area of the suction opening, under the effect of which a mixture of liquid and air is sucked in via the suction opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction flow:

Data Source

PatentEP3021722B1Portable hard surface cleaning device
Publication Date: 2017.08.30 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP3021722B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3021722B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3021722B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a portable hard-surface cleaning device (10) for pulling off and suctioning liquid from a hard surface, in particular from a window pane, comprising a suction nozzle part (56) having a suction opening (66), on which suction opening at least one pull-off lip (68, 70) is arranged and which suction opening is adjoined by a suction channel (64), a suction unit (14), which has a flow connection to the suction nozzle part (56) in order to suck in a liquid-air mixture from the suction opening (66), a separation chamber (44), which is positioned between the suction nozzle part (56) and the suction unit (14) and in which a separating apparatus is arranged in order to separate liquid from the liquid-air mixture, and a dirty-liquid receptacle for receiving the separated liquid, wherein the suction nozzle part (56) has a first and a second housing half-shell (58, 60) and can be detachably connected to the separation chamber (44), wherein an end segment (72) of the suction channel (64) protrudes into an accommodating shaft (54) of the separation chamber (44) and a baffle plate (86) is arranged at the free end of the suction channel (64). According to the invention, in order to further develop the portable hard-surface cleaning device in such a way that the end segment (72) of the suction channel (64) can be inserted into the accommodating shaft (54) smoothly, the baffle plate (86) forms a locking element and the two housing half-shells (58, 60) can be locked to each other by means of the baffle plate (86).