Filter Bag Collapse Mechanism to Prevent Vacuum Suction Clogging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Suction devices experience decreased suction power due to filter cake buildup on the filter bag, particularly at the outflow filter bag wall section, leading to clogging and reduced permeability, which affects the overall performance of the device.

Innovation Solution

The filter bag is designed to collapse towards an opposite filter bag wall when the suction motor is switched off, causing cracks in the filter cake coating, allowing it to detach and collect inside the filter bag, maintaining suction power by ensuring the outflow filter bag wall section is free of the filter cake coating, allowing air to flow through unhindered.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the suction device operates continuously, then particles are collected effectively, but the filter bag becomes clogged with filter cake coating, reducing suction power

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle collection efficiencyVSAvoidsuction power
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction motor is switched on and off periodically to create cyclic pressure changes. During the off-period, the filter bag collapses under its own weight and the weight of the filter cake coating, causing cracks to form and the coating to detach. This periodic action prevents permanent clogging while maintaining continuous particle collection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The filter bag is designed to be dynamically deformable rather than rigid. It can inflate during motor operation to collect particles and collapse during motor rest periods to shed filter cake coating. This dynamic behavior allows the filter bag to adapt its shape and maintain functionality over extended operation periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the filter bag wall section is made heavier to enhance collapse effect, then filter cake coating detaches better, but the filter bag becomes less flexible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter cake detachmentVSAvoidfilter bag flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Only the outflow filter bag wall section is made heavier through filter cake coating accumulation, while the rest of the filter bag maintains its original lightweight and flexible construction. This localized weight increase creates sufficient collapse force at the critical outflow area without compromising the overall flexibility and deformability of the filter bag.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the filter bag is designed to collapse freely, then filter cake coating detaches easily, but the filter bag may deform excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter cake detachmentVSAvoidfilter bag deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The filter bag is pre-loaded with the weight of the filter cake coating and its own structural weight, which acts as a preliminary counter-force to excessive deformation. When the suction motor switches off, this pre-existing weight provides sufficient collapse force to detach filter cake while the opposite filter bag wall provides a stopping point, preventing uncontrolled deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 design maintains the suction power of the suction device over long periods by periodically self-cleaning the filter bag, reducing the undesired adhesion of the filter cake coating and ensuring continuous suction quality.

Implementation Method 1

the filter bag is designed in such a way that its outflow filter bag wall section facing the outflow opening and/or an outflow filter bag wall containing it, for example due to their weight, which is even increased by the adhering filter cake coating, collapses towards an opposite filter bag wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2229859B1Operating method for a suction device with a filter sack and suction device for same
Publication Date: 2012.04.04 FESTOOL GMBH
  • EP2229859B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2229859B1 patent drawingFigure 2~8
  • EP2229859B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The method involves arranging a suction motor (12) in a suction cup housing to generate a suction flow, and arranging a collecting chamber (110) in the housing to collect particles separated from the flow. The motor is switched-off, such that a discharging-filter bag-wall section (178) is slumped in the direction of a filter bag-wall (182) that lies opposite to the wall section. The motor is switched-on, such that the wall section is drawn in the direction of a suction outlet (177) by the flow. A filter cake lining (181) is released from the wall section by the slumping of the wall section. An independent claim is also included for a suction device comprising a suction motor and a collecting chamber.