Vacuum Cleaner Filter Bag Collar for Closure Flap Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter bags for vacuum cleaners face issues with reduced effective filter surface area and obstruction of closure devices due to filter cake formation as the bag fills, leading to reduced filtration efficiency and stability of the holding plate.

Innovation Solution

A filter bag design featuring a collar protruding into the interior of the filter bag on the holding plate prevents filter cake formation near the closure device, maintaining the closure function and utilizing the filter material around the inlet opening for effective filtering, while the two-part retaining plate is made stiffer for stable attachment to the vacuum cleaner.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the filter material is coated with a foil or paper to prevent filter cake formation, then the closure device is protected from obstruction, but the effective filter surface area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosure device functionVSAvoideffective filter surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the protective function from the filter material coating and relocates it to a separate collar structure. The collar protrudes into the filter bag interior and prevents filter cake from reaching the closure device, while the filter material remains uncoated and maintains its full effective filter surface area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution segments the protective function from the filtration function. The collar handles the protection of the closure device from filter cake, while the filter material focuses solely on filtration, allowing both functions to operate optimally without compromising the effective filter surface area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the holding plate is made as a single integral piece, then the structure is simpler, but the effective filter area is reduced due to the large area surrounding the closure flap

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding plate structureVSAvoideffective filter area
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The holding plate is segmented into a first plate-shaped part and a second part with the collar. This segmentation allows the plate-shaped part to be optimized for attachment while the collar provides the protective function, reducing the area where the holding plate surrounds the closure flap and maximizing the effective filter area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the holding plate is made thinner to reduce material usage, then manufacturing is easier, but the stability and attachment strength are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding plate productionVSAvoidattachment strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The collar adds a third dimension (protrusion into the filter bag interior) to the holding plate structure. This dimensional addition provides structural reinforcement and stability without increasing the plate thickness, maintaining ease of manufacture while significantly improving attachment strength and rigidity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2772173B1Filter bag for a vacuum cleaner and method for producing a holding plate for a filter bag
Publication Date: 2016.09.21 WOLF PVG GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2772173B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2772173B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2772173B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The filter bag has a filter material, in which an inlet opening is provided, and a holding plate (1) arranged at the inlet opening. The holding plate is mounted to a holding unit of a vacuum cleaner for supporting the filter bag. A collar (10) is provided in an interior of the filter bag at the holding plate. A formation of a filter cake is prevented from the filter material to a closure device (5) by the collar.