Cyclone Separator Filter Cleaning by Rotating Dust Container

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cyclone separators in vacuum cleaners often experience clogging of fine dust filters, leading to a loss of suction power, as existing cleaning methods require disassembly, contact with dirt, and interruption of the suction process.

Innovation Solution

A cyclone separator design with a detachable cyclone vessel and a fine dust filter that can be rotated to utilize cleaning paddles for knocking off adhering dust without disassembly, allowing for easy and hygienic cleaning while maintaining suction, using a mechanical knocking mechanism to dislodge dust without electric motors or gears.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the fine dust filter is cleaned by disassembly and manual washing, then the filter can be effectively cleaned, but the suction process is interrupted and contact with dirt is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter cleaning convenienceVSAvoidsuction continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter cleaning function is integrated into the device itself through self-contained knocking mechanisms that automatically dislodge dust from the filter surface during normal operation, eliminating the need for manual disassembly and washing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Dust is knocked off the filter surface proactively during operation before it accumulates to problematic levels, maintaining filter performance and eliminating the need for interrupting suction to clean the filter

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a fine dust filter is used to maintain suction power, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but the filter becomes clogged with fine dust leading to loss of suction power

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction power maintenanceVSAvoidfilter clogging
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter surface undergoes periodic knocking actions during operation that automatically dislodge accumulating dust, preventing clogging while maintaining continuous filtration and suction power

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Mechanical knocking mechanisms create localized vibrations and impacts on the filter surface that dislodge adhering dust particles, preventing clogging and maintaining filter permeability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Ease of operation

If the cyclone vessel is made detachable and rotatable for cleaning, then cleaning accessibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning accessibilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detachable cyclone vessel serves multiple functions: it contains the fine dust filter during operation, provides accessibility for cleaning by being removable, and enables rotational movement for dust knock-off, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms

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

Solution Approach 2:

The cyclone vessel transitions from a static component to a dynamic one that can be detached and rotated, enabling cleaning operations without requiring complex automated mechanisms or additional components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables effective cleaning of fine dust filters without interrupting suction, maintaining hygiene and ease of use, as the cyclone container's rotational movement is transferred to the fine dust filter, ensuring continuous operation and easy maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

Due to the rotation, a centrifugal force acts on particles in the air flow, which pushes the particles against a wall of the cyclone separator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

The beating device can cause a local elastic deformation of the filter medium. When the filter medium springs back, the resulting sudden acceleration causes the fine dust to be knocked off

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The rotary movement can be transferred to the fine dust filter from an externally accessible cyclone container of the cyclone separator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational movement transfer: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP3222188B1Cyclonic separator for a vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2018.07.18 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP3222188B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3222188B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3222188B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a cyclone separator (104) for a vacuum cleaner (100), the cyclone separator (104) having a removable cyclone container (112) which can be rotated around a central air inlet pipe (110) of the cyclone separator (104) and a cyclone container (112) which can be rotated around the air inlet pipe (110). and a particulate matter filter (108) connected to the air inlet pipe (110) and releasably coupled to the cyclone vessel (112).