Air Conditioner Filter Net Sweeping Assembly for Self-Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioner filtering net cleaning methods are inefficient, requiring frequent manual disassembly and cleaning, leading to increased labor, noise, and suboptimal dust removal, especially at distant regions of the net.

Innovation Solution

A self-cleaning device with a filtering net frame, guide rail, sweeping assembly, brush, and dustproof cover that slides up and down along the filtering net, using a gear-driven mechanism to collect dust with a brush and transfer it to a dust collecting box, ensuring effective dust removal without disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual cleaning method is used, then dust can be removed from filtering net, but users need to frequently disassemble and clean the filter, which wastes time and labor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidtime and labor for maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an automatic cleaning system where a brush assembly moves along the filtering net to remove dust automatically. The system includes a motor-driven mechanism that propels the brush along guide rails to clean the entire surface of the filter without human intervention, enabling the system to clean itself during operation or maintenance cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent positions the brush assembly and dust collection box in advance within the air conditioner housing. The cleaning mechanism is pre-configured to access the filtering net surface, and the dust collection box is pre-positioned to receive and store removed dust, eliminating the need for frequent manual emptying and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If suction device is used to clean filtering net, then dust can be absorbed, but the structure is complex and requires high machining precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust removal capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity and machining precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex suction device with a simpler mechanical brush cleaning system. Instead of using airflow suction to remove dust, the invention uses a motor-driven brush that mechanically sweeps dust particles off the filtering net surface into a collection box, significantly simplifying the overall structure and reducing machining precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a simple brush assembly with bristles that can be easily replaced if worn, rather than a complex suction device with precision components. The brush is a low-cost, simple component that can be manufactured with basic tools and replaced without specialized equipment or high precision machining.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If rotating filtering net method is used, then dust can be removed by suction nozzle, but large power motor is required which produces larger noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust absorption effectVSAvoidnoise level
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of rotating the filtering net to bring different areas under a stationary suction nozzle, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the filtering net stationary and moving the brush assembly along it. This eliminates the need for a large power motor to rotate the heavy filter, significantly reducing noise levels while achieving complete surface cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the motor-driven rotation system with a linear motion brush cleaning system. The brush assembly moves along guide rails using a smaller, quieter motor or even manual operation, eliminating the high-noise rotation mechanism while maintaining effective dust removal capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Quantity of substance

If suction port is made large to improve dust absorption, then more dust can be collected, but the absorptive effect deteriorates especially at distant regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust collection quantityVSAvoiddust absorption efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the cleaning function into multiple brush elements distributed along the cleaning path. Instead of relying on a single large suction port, the brush contacts and cleans multiple segments of the filtering net surface simultaneously or sequentially, ensuring uniform dust removal efficiency across the entire filter area including distant regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2154441B1Self-cleaning device of filtering net of air conditioner
Publication Date: 2018.10.17 HAIER GROUP CORP
  • EP2154441B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2154441B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2154441B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A self-cleaning device of a filtering net of air conditioner is disclosed. The self-cleaning device is installed on a filtering frame 2 in an air inlet of a dust spiral case 1 of a package air conditioner and is disposed outside the filtering net 3, a filtering net guide rail 21 with slots are installed on an upper frame and a lower frame. The filtering net 3 is fixed on the filtering net frame by the slots of guide rails. The cleaning device of the filtering net includes a sweeping assembly 4 with a brush, a drive motor 5 fixed on the sweeping assembly, a transmission mechanism 6 connected to the drive motor, a rack group 7 installed on the left and right side of the filtering net, a dust collecting box 8 installed under the filtering net for collecting dust, and a dust exchanging device 9 is disposed between the dust collecting box and the filtering net; the drive motor connecting with the transmission mechanism drives the sweeping assembly sliding up and down attached the filtering net along the rack group, thus dust is cleaned by the brush, then dust is put into the dust collecting box through the dust exchanging device. The device is easily loaded and unloaded, and used with less time and labor, the filtering net can be cleaned any time or on time