Bagless vacuum cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bagless vacuum cleaners experience performance deficits due to filter blockage, making it difficult to determine when the dirt-collection chamber is full versus the filter being blocked, leading to inefficient cleaning and potential premature emptying of the dirt-collection chamber, especially in battery-powered models.
Innovation Solution
A bagless vacuum cleaner with an agitator positioned to dislodge dirt and dust from the filter, which is actuated intermittently, preferably after the motor is switched off, to maintain filter porosity and prevent re-deposition of dislodged particles, thereby extending the vacuum's performance and reducing filter cleaning frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the vacuum cleaner operates for extended periods, then cleaning coverage increases, but filter blockage occurs causing performance deficit
Solution Approach 1:
The agitator is actuated before the filter becomes completely blocked to dislodge accumulating dirt and dust particles. This preliminary action prevents performance degradation by maintaining filter porosity throughout extended operation periods, allowing the vacuum cleaner to operate reliably for longer durations without performance deficit.
Solution Approach 2:
The agitator operates periodically rather than continuously, being actuated at intervals during vacuum cleaner operation. This periodic agitation maintains filter performance by disrupting particle accumulation before complete blockage occurs, enabling extended operating duration while maintaining reliable suction performance.
2Reliability
If the filter is cleaned frequently, then air flow is maintained, but cleaning time is lost and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The agitator enables the filter to clean itself by dislodging accumulated particles back into the dirt-collection chamber. This self-service mechanism maintains air flow and filter performance automatically during operation, eliminating the need for frequent manual cleanings and maintaining high cleaning productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The agitator maintains continuous filter performance by periodically dislodging particles throughout the vacuum cleaner's operation. This continuous maintenance action ensures consistent air flow without interruption for manual cleaning, maintaining both reliability and productivity throughout extended use.
3Reliability
If the dirt-collection chamber is emptied prematurely, then filter blockage is avoided, but cleaning time is wasted and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The agitator acts preliminarily to prevent filter blockage that would otherwise trigger premature emptying of the dirt-collection chamber. By maintaining filter porosity through periodic particle dislodgement, the system allows the dirt-collection chamber to be emptied only when actually full, eliminating wasted emptying operations and maximizing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides accurate feedback about actual dirt collection status by distinguishing between filter blockage and chamber fullness. The agitator ensures that performance indicators reflect true dirt collection levels rather than filter clogging, allowing operators to empty the chamber only when necessary, reducing time loss and improving productivity.
4Power
If battery-powered vacuum cleaners operate at high power, then cleaning effectiveness increases, but air flow sensitivity to filter blockage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The agitator acts preliminarily to prevent filter blockage in battery-powered vacuum cleaners operating at high power. By continuously dislodging particles before they accumulate to blocking levels, the system maintains optimal air flow for high-power operation, ensuring cleaning effectiveness without the harmful sensitivity to filter clogging that would otherwise limit performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic agitation in battery-powered vacuum cleaners maintains consistent air flow during high-power operation. This periodic disruption of particle accumulation ensures that the sensitive high-power system operates at full effectiveness throughout its battery life without performance degradation from filter blockage.
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 agitator effectively dislodges fine dirt and dust from the filter, maintaining air flow and reducing the need for frequent filter cleaning, thus enhancing the vacuum's performance and usability, particularly in battery-powered models where reduced air flow is more critical.
Implementation Method 1
an agitator configured and positioned to agitate the filter
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a bagless vacuum cleaner, and most preferably a battery-powered vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner may be a cylinder vacuum cleaner, an upright vacuum cleaner or a hand-held vacuum cleaner. The bagless vacuum cleaner has a dirt-collection chamber with an inlet and an outlet and a filter at its outlet. According to the invention the vacuum cleaner has an agitator to agitate the filter and dislodge dirt and dust which has adhered to the filter, whereby to extend the period before the filter becomes blocked.