Filter Scraper Coupling for Hygienic Vacuum Separation Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld vacuum cleaners often experience hair wrapping around the filter module during suction, making it uncomfortable and unhygienic to empty and clean the separation unit, as users typically need to decouple the unit or manually remove the filter, which is inconvenient and unsanitary.
Innovation Solution
A cyclone-based separation unit with a cylindrical collecting container and a filter module, featuring a stripping element like a scraper ring that moves along the filter module's surface for thorough cleaning, and a coupling mechanism for easy actuation, allowing for convenient and hygienic emptying and cleaning by guiding the scraper ring from the suction position to the end position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cyclone-based separation unit with a cylindrical collection container and filter module is used, then dust particles can be effectively separated from suction air, but hair becomes wrapped around the filter module making it difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper element is positioned to contact the filter module surface before the user removes the filter module from the collection container. This preliminary scraping action removes wrapped hair and debris from the filter surface in advance, preventing the problem from occurring when the filter is later removed for cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper element is designed to automatically clean the filter module surface through the existing cyclone airflow and structural interactions. The scraper is positioned such that normal operation of the vacuum cleaner causes it to scrape the filter surface, enabling self-cleaning without additional user intervention.
2Productivity
If the separation unit is designed as an integrated cyclone separator, then compact and efficient dust collection is achieved, but emptying and cleaning requires decoupling components which is uncomfortable and unhygienic
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper element performs preliminary cleaning of the filter module surface before the user needs to empty or clean the separation unit. By removing wrapped hair and debris in advance during normal operation, the filter module requires less manual cleaning effort when the user later removes it from the collection container.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper element acts as an intermediary mechanism between the filter module and the user. Instead of the user directly handling and cleaning the contaminated filter module, the scraper element performs the initial cleaning function, reducing direct user contact with dirty components and improving hygiene.
3Manufacturing precision
If the filter module surface is cleaned manually by removing the filter, then thorough cleaning is possible, but the process is time-consuming and unsanitary
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper element continuously or periodically cleans the filter module surface during normal vacuum operation, performing the cleaning action in advance before the user needs to manually clean the filter. This preliminary cleaning reduces the time and effort required for subsequent manual cleaning while maintaining thoroughness.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper element is designed to clean the filter module surface continuously or periodically during normal vacuum cleaner operation, rather than requiring separate discrete cleaning actions. This continuous cleaning action maintains the filter surface throughout operation, reducing the frequency and duration of manual cleaning interventions.
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
Enables comfortable and thorough cleaning of the filter module and collection area, preventing hair wrapping and ensuring efficient removal of dust and debris, enhancing user experience and hygiene by allowing for easy decoupling and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a cyclone-like suction air flow is created in the collection area
Implementation Method 2
the suction air flow can exhibit a cyclone-like flow pattern around the (central) longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 3
a filter module arranged in the collection container, which is designed to filter particles from the suction air flow
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
A separation unit (150) for a suction device (100) is described, wherein the separation unit (150) comprises a collection container (102) with a collection area (103) for receiving particles from a suction air stream (121, 122, 123) of the suction device (100). The separation unit (150) further comprises a filter module (105) arranged in the collection container (102), which is configured to filter out particles from the suction air stream (121, 122, 123).Furthermore, the separation unit (105) comprises a scraper element (106) designed to be moved over the surface of the filter module (105) in order to clean the surface of the filter module (105), and a coupling element (302) connected to the scraper element (106), which is designed to be detachably connected to a complementary coupling element (301) of an actuating element (110, 111), so that the scraper element (106) can be moved over the surface of the filter module (105) by the actuating element (110, 111) connected to the coupling element (302).