Cyclone Filter Cleaning Using External Air to Maintain Suction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cyclone dust-separating apparatuses in vacuum cleaners face inefficiencies in separating minute dust particles, leading to reduced suction force and the need for manual filter cleaning, which increases fabrication costs and user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A cyclone dust-separating apparatus with a cleaning unit that uses external air to automatically brush away dust from the filter without external power, closing the air passage during filter cleaning mode to enhance efficiency and reduce fabrication costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a filter unit is installed between the cyclone unit and outflow pipe to separate minute dust, then dust-separating efficiency is improved, but suction force is deteriorated when the filter is choked with accumulated dust
Solution Approach 1:
The filter cleaning mechanism uses the vacuum cleaner's own suction force to automatically clean the filter element. The cleaning brush is rotated by the suction motor through a transmission mechanism, enabling the system to self-maintain without external intervention, thus preserving suction force while maintaining dust-separating efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The filter cleaning operation is performed periodically based on usage conditions. The control unit activates the cleaning mechanism when the filter reaches a certain level of dust accumulation, preventing choking and maintaining consistent suction force across multiple usage cycles
2Extent of automation
If a motor-driven rotation bar with flap is used to automatically clean the filter, then filter cleaning is automated, but fabrication costs are increased
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a separate motor-driven rotation bar, the invention uses the vacuum cleaner's existing suction motor to drive the cleaning brush through a transmission mechanism. This substitutes an additional mechanical system with the existing motor, achieving automation while reducing fabrication costs
Solution Approach 2:
The suction motor serves dual functions: it powers both the cyclone separation operation and the filter cleaning mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a dedicated motor for cleaning, thereby reducing overall system cost while maintaining automation
3Extent of automation
If external air is used to rotate the fan and transmit rotating force through gears to brush off dust from dust bag, then filter cleaning is achieved, but suction force is divided into two air passages reducing cleaning efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the filter cleaning function from the main suction air passage by using a separate cleaning air passage. This allows the main suction force to be dedicated to dust collection while a portion of external air is used for filter cleaning, preventing interference with primary cleaning efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a control unit as an intermediary that manages air passage switching. The control unit directs external air to the cleaning mechanism only when needed, and switches the air passage to connect the suction nozzle with the cyclone unit during normal operation, thereby maintaining high cleaning efficiency
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 apparatus effectively cleans dust from filters without manual disassembly, maintains suction force, and reduces fabrication costs by using external air to drive the cleaning mechanism, improving filter cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a cyclone unit to make drawn-in air into a whirling current and thus to separate dust or dirt from the drawn-in air
Implementation Method 2
whirls air laden with dirt or dust and thus separates the dirt or dust therefrom
Implementation Method 3
uses external air to automatically brush away dust from the filter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A cyclone dust-separating apparatus (100) of a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The cyclone dust-separating apparatus (100) includes a cyclone unit (110) having a cyclone chamber (123a) to whirl first air drawn in from the outside thus to separate dust or dirt therefrom, a filter unit (120) disposed in a filtering chamber (129) located in a downstream of the cyclone unit (110) and having a filter (125) to filter dust or dirt from the first air, a cleaning unit (170) to brush away the dust or dirt accumulated in the filter (125) by using second air drawn in from the outside, and a dust collecting unit (160) to collect and store the dust or dirt separated from the first air by the cyclone chamber (123a) and the dust or dirt brushed away from the filter (125) by the cleaning unit (170).