Active Filter Cartridge for Hand-Guided Power Tools
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter arrangements for power tools, such as sanders and grinders, have limited air filtering capabilities and efficiency while maintaining small dimensions and flexibility, restricting user mobility due to their size and weight.
Innovation Solution
An active filter arrangement with a separate airflow generating device, comprising a fan driven by an electric motor, is integrated into a filter cartridge, which actively draws airflow through the filter, enhancing filtering efficiency and maintaining compactness and flexibility by allowing attachment to a user's belt or the power tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a passive filter cartridge is used to maintain small dimensions and flexibility, then the filter arrangement remains compact and flexible, but the air filtering capabilities and efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the passive filter cartridge with an active airflow generating device (fan powered by electric motor) into an integrated filter arrangement. This merging allows the compact filter cartridge to achieve active air drawing capability, significantly improving filtering efficiency while maintaining the small dimensions and flexibility of the original cartridge design.
2Reliability
If vacuum cleaners are used to achieve good air filtering capabilities, then filtering efficiency is improved, but the dimensions and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vacuum cleaner system into a compact filter cartridge module that can be directly attached to the power tool. By separating the filtering function from the bulk vacuum cleaner body and integrating it directly at the tool outlet, the system achieves vacuum cleaner-level filtering efficiency while minimizing weight and dimensions to only what is necessary for the filter cartridge itself.
3Reliability
If vacuum cleaners are used to achieve good air filtering capabilities, then filtering efficiency is improved, but user mobility is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from the traditional vacuum cleaner configuration (where the filter is in a separate, bulky unit requiring hoses and connections) to a integrated configuration where the filter cartridge is directly mounted on the power tool itself. This dimensional repositioning eliminates the need for connecting hoses and allows the user to move freely with the tool while the filter operates in the same spatial location as the dust generation source.
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 active filter arrangement achieves superior air filtering efficiency while maintaining the small dimensions and flexibility of conventional filter cartridges, allowing for increased user mobility during power tool operation by actively drawing dust-laden air and extending the lifespan of the filter element.
Implementation Method 1
at least one filter element located inside the casing, having a longitudinal extension along the longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
an active airflow generating device with a fan comprising a plurality of blades and driven by an electric motor separate from the motor of the power tool
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention refers to a filter arrangement for filtering dust-laden air (7) generated by a hand-guided power tool (1) having a pneumatic or electric motor, in particular a sander or a grinder, during operation of the power tool (1). The filter arrangement comprises a filter cartridge (13) having - a hollow cylindrical casing (14), - a hollow cylindrical filter element (22) located inside the casing (14), - an air inlet port (15) provided in the casing (14), pneumatically connected to the power tool (1) to allow dust-laden air to enter the filter cartridge (13), and - an air outlet port (20) provided in the casing (14), to allow filtered air (9) leave the filter cartridge (13), an external hollow-cylindrical input chamber (23) is formed between the casing (14) and the filter element (22), an internal cylindrical output chamber (26) is formed inside the filter element (22), the input chamber (23) is separated from the output chamber (26), the input chamber (23) is in pneumatic connection with the air inlet port (15) and the internal chamber (26) is in pneumatic connection with the air outlet port (20), wherein the filter arrangement comprises an active airflow generating device (30) with a fan (40) comprising a plurality of blades (44) and driven by an electric motor (38) separate from the motor of the power tool (1), with an air inlet (34) being in pneumatic connection with the air outlet port (20) and the internal chamber (26) of the filter cartridge (13) in order to generate or support the airflow (8) through the filter cartridge (13).