Vacuum Cleaner Dust Bag Air Guide for Non-Woven Flat Bags

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vacuum cleaner filter bags are limited in design and material due to the requirement for a block bottom shape, which restricts their compatibility with various types of vacuum cleaners and prevents the use of non-woven filter media that offer superior filtration properties.

Innovation Solution

A guiding device with inclined inlet and outlet openings allows for a more flexible bag geometry, enabling the use of non-woven filter media and accommodating different vacuum cleaner designs, including flat bags without a block bottom, by directing airflow effectively into the filter bag.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a block bottom shape is used for the filter bag, then the bag can operate reliably in elongated interior spaces of vacuum cleaner housings, but the material must be relatively stiff (filter paper) and cannot use non-woven fabric

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliable operation in elongated interior spacesVSAvoidmaterial selection flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The filter bag is divided into two functional parts: a flexible non-woven fabric bag body for filtration and a separate rigid hollow guiding device for structural support and airflow guidance. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the bag uses flexible non-woven material while the guide provides the necessary rigidity for reliable operation in elongated spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow guiding device acts as an intermediary between the flexible non-woven filter bag and the vacuum cleaner housing. It provides the rigid structural interface needed for reliable operation in elongated interior spaces while allowing the filter bag itself to be made from flexible non-woven material with superior filtration properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If non-woven filter media are used, then good filter properties and high dust storage capacity are achieved, but the material cannot be processed into block-bottom bags

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter properties and dust storage capacityVSAvoidprocessability into block-bottom shape
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The manufacturing process is segmented into two independent steps: first, the non-woven filter bag is manufactured with its superior filtration properties without requiring block-bottom shaping; second, the separate hollow guiding device is attached to provide the necessary structural form. This avoids the manufacturing difficulty of shaping non-woven fabric into block-bottom forms while preserving the excellent filter properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow guiding device serves as a manufacturing intermediary that provides the block-bottom structural function without requiring the non-woven fabric itself to be shaped into a block bottom. The non-woven bag can be manufactured using standard processes, then the rigid guide is attached to achieve the desired structural configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a hollow body with inclined openings is used as a guiding device, then flexible bag geometry is enabled and non-woven media can be used, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebag geometry flexibility and material optionsVSAvoidguiding device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow guiding device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the filter bag, guides airflow from the vacuum cleaner housing into the bag, and enables the use of flexible non-woven materials. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the overall system complexity is managed despite the added versatility.

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

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

This solution allows for the use of non-woven filter media in a wide range of vacuum cleaners, ensuring efficient dust collection and filtration while maintaining the bag's ability to unfold and inflate suitably within the vacuum cleaner housing.

Implementation Method 1

a guiding device for guiding an air flow into an inlet opening (12) provided in the filter material (11) of a vacuum cleaner filter bag (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2124698B1Guiding device for a vacuum cleaner dust bag
Publication Date: 2013.08.14 EUROLIFTERS HLDG NV
  • EP2124698B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2124698B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2124698B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a guiding device for guiding an air flow into an intake provided in the filter material of a vacuum cleaner filter bag, said guiding device comprising a hollow body through which the air is guided from an inlet of the hollow body to an outlet of the hollow body. The hollow body can be connected to the vacuum cleaner filter bag in such a way that an air flow leaving via the outlet enters into the vacuum cleaner filter bag through the intake, and the inlet is arranged in a first plane and the outlet in a second plane. The first plane and the second plane are inclined against each other at a pre-determined angle.