Vacuum container and manual cyclone vacuum cleaner

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cyclone vacuum cleaners face inefficiencies and user safety issues due to rigidly connected filter systems that require improper handling and cleaning, leading to decreased performance and increased risk of dust entering the drive unit.

Innovation Solution

A suction material container with a central filter and fine filter system where the central filter can be automatically separated from the fine filter, allowing for optimized cleaning without direct user contact with dirty parts, and a four-stage filtration system that prevents dust from entering the drive unit's intake area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the central filter and fine filter are rigidly connected, then the filter system structure is simple, but the user must manually separate the filters which increases the risk of incorrect cleaning and direct contact with dirty parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter system structureVSAvoidfilter cleaning operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is segmented into a central filter and a fine filter that are detachably connected rather than rigidly connected. The central filter can be removed independently from the housing while the fine filter remains in place, allowing separate cleaning operations without manual separation by the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter system is designed to automatically separate the central filter from the fine filter during the removal process. When the central filter is pulled out from the housing, the detachable connection automatically disconnects, eliminating the need for user intervention to separate the filters and reducing the risk of incorrect cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of repair

If the central filter is removed from the housing, then the central filter can be cleaned, but dust and particles may fall into the drive unit intake area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter cleaning accessibilityVSAvoiddust contamination of drive unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is divided into two separable components: the central filter that collects dust and the fine filter that protects the drive unit. When the central filter is removed for cleaning, the fine filter remains in the housing to continue filtering air and preventing dust from reaching the drive unit intake area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fine filter acts as an intermediary protective barrier between the central filter removal process and the drive unit. Even when the central filter is removed, the fine filter remains in place to intercept any dust particles that might otherwise fall into the drive unit intake area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the filters are user-separable, then the user can clean the filters more frequently, but the user must touch dirty filters which increases health risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter cleaning frequencyVSAvoiduser exposure to dust
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system allows the central filter to be removed and cleaned separately from the fine filter. Users can clean the central filter which contains the bulk of the dust, while the fine filter remains in the housing and continues to protect the drive unit. This segmentation enables frequent cleaning of the heavily soiled central filter without requiring users to disassemble and handle both filters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The central filter, which accumulates the majority of dust and debris, is extracted as a separate removable component. Users can remove and clean this heavily soiled filter without needing to touch the fine filter, thereby reducing direct contact with dirty parts while maintaining the ability to clean frequently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enhances filter performance, reduces incorrect cleaning risks, and extends the vacuum cleaner's lifespan by ensuring dust does not accumulate in the drive unit's intake area during central filter removal.

Implementation Method 1

a hand-held cyclone vacuum cleaner in which vortices and any turbulence are generated in an air flow entering the vacuum cleaner, whereby the suction material such as dust particles is pressed in a predetermined direction due to centrifugal force and separated will

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

the suction material such as dust particles is pressed in a predetermined direction due to centrifugal force and separated will

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

a pre-filter, in which the central filter is arranged, and a fine filter, which is arranged in the central filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3692884B1Vacuum container and manual cyclone vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2022.09.14 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP3692884B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3692884B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3692884B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a collection container (1) for a handheld cyclone vacuum cleaner, comprising a housing (17), a central filter (2) arranged in the housing (17), and a fine filter (4) arranged in the central filter (2) and designed such that it remains in the housing (17) when the central filter (2) is removed. The invention further relates to a handheld cyclone vacuum cleaner comprising the collection container (1).