Device for determining a fill level of a dust collector for a vacuum cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaners with centrifugal separators face challenges in accurately determining the dust collection container's filling level, as current methods either limit design freedom or provide inaccurate differential pressure displays, failing to precisely measure the filling level.
Innovation Solution
A device with a resonator element mounted on the dust collection container's outer wall, excited by a magnet or piezo element, which measures mechanical vibration damping to determine the filling level, allowing for precise and reproducible filling level detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the dust collection container is made transparent with markings to indicate filling level, then the filling level can be visually monitored, but the design freedom of the vacuum cleaner is considerably limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual system (transparent container with markings) with an acoustic measurement system. A resonator element is mounted on the outer wall of the dust collection container, excited by an excitation element to produce mechanical vibrations. A detection unit measures the damping of these vibrations, which varies with the filling level. This substitution allows the container to be opaque and freely designed while still providing accurate filling level monitoring through acoustic damping measurements.
2Reliability
If differential pressure displays are used to indicate filling level, then the system responds to downstream filter blockage, but the accuracy of filling level measurement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the differential pressure display system with an acoustic resonance-based measurement system. The resonator element's vibration damping is directly correlated to the mass of dust in the container, providing accurate filling level measurement independent of filter blockage conditions. This substitution eliminates the indirect and inaccurate pressure-based method in favor of a direct acoustic measurement that precisely reflects the actual dust load.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a resonator element is mounted on the outer wall of the dust collection container to measure filling level, then design freedom is preserved, but the measurement must be precise and reproducible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mechanical vibration of a resonator element mounted on the outer wall of the dust collection container. The resonator is excited by an excitation element (such as an electromagnetic actuator) to oscillate at its resonant frequency. The damping of these vibrations is measured by a detection unit and correlated to the filling level. This mechanical vibration approach provides precise and reproducible measurements while maintaining design freedom, as the resonator can be integrated into various container designs without requiring transparency or internal mounting.
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 provides a precise and reproducible method for determining the dust collection container's filling level, protecting downstream filters by avoiding overfilling and allowing for design flexibility, with the ability to trigger control or display signals based on the measured damping.
Implementation Method 1
at least one resonator element (5), which is mounted on an outer wall (4) of the dust collection container (1), an excitation element (6), which excites the resonator element (5) to mechanical vibrations
Implementation Method 2
a detection unit (9), which has a damping of the mechanical vibration characterizing variable detected and which determines the filling level
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The device has a resonator element (5) held at an outer wall (4) of a dirt collection container (1). An excitation element (6) i.e. piezo element, excites the resonator element for mechanical vibrations. Detection units (9) detect variables that characterize damping of the mechanical vibrations. The detection units determine a filling level of the dirt collection container dependent upon the determined variable. The resonator element is designed as a vibration body and an elastic membrane (5-1), which is made of rubber on latex base. An independent claim is also included for a vacuum cleaner that comprises a centrifugal force separator.