Portable Air Filter Cleaning Apparatus with Rotating Finned Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable air filter cleaning devices are inadequate for cleaning air filters of various lengths and diameters, often requiring excessive effort and potentially damaging the filtering medium due to inconsistent air pressure and fixed lengths.
Innovation Solution
A portable apparatus with a rotating elongated member and fins within a chamber, utilizing compressed air to rotate the member and direct pressure to the filter surface, ensuring consistent cleaning across different filter sizes and sealing open ends to maintain pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length vertical column is used in the cleaning device, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot properly clean air filters of various lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the vertical column telescopic rather than fixed. The telescopic column can extend and retract to accommodate air filters of various lengths, allowing the cleaning device to adapt to different filter sizes without requiring multiple devices or complex adjustment mechanisms.
2Productivity
If high pressure air is discharged through the nozzle to remove particulate, then particulate removal is effective, but the filtering medium may be damaged and operator effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cup-shaped member as an intermediary between the air source and the filtering medium. This cup-shaped member distributes the compressed air more evenly across the filter surface, preventing concentrated high-pressure damage while maintaining effective particulate removal. The intermediary structure softens the direct impact of high-pressure air on the filtering medium.
3Productivity
If the operator applies greater effort to clean the filter adequately, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but operator fatigue increases and consistency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the cleaning device to perform much of the cleaning work automatically through the telescopic column's ability to extend and retract, and the cup-shaped member's automatic positioning. The device self-adjusts to maintain consistent cleaning pressure and coverage without requiring continuous operator intervention or concentration, reducing fatigue while maintaining effectiveness.
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
Effectively cleans air filters of varying lengths and diameters with controlled air pressure, reducing operator effort and preventing damage to the filtering medium, while allowing for efficient particulate removal and maintaining air flow.
Implementation Method 1
a first fluid communication means is secured to the first end of the body in fluid communication with the longitudinal bore of the elongated member for supplying a first portion of fluid under pressure into the longitudinal bore
Implementation Method 2
a second fluid communication means has an opposed second end thereof being at least in fluid communication with the chamber so as to direct a second portion of the fluid under pressure transversely to a surface of each fin
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for cleaning an air filter includes a body, a closed chamber formed within the body, a fluid dispersing member having a portion thereof mounted for rotation within the body and passing through the chamber, a plurality of orifices formed through the wall of the fluid dispersing member and an arrangement for rotating the fluid dispersing member. The arrangement either includes a combination of nozzles secured to the fluid dispersing member and positioned within the chamber and an irregular inner wall surface of the chamber capable of providing resistance to a fluid flow discharged into the chamber or fins disposed on the fluid dispersing member and a passageway through the body for directing fluid under pressure onto the fins. Fluid supplied under pressure to the fluid dispersing member exits through the plurality of orifices toward an inner surface of a air filter filtering medium causing contaminants to exit therefrom.