Filter unit for installation in a vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner with filter unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter units in vacuum cleaners face issues with trouble-free installation and removal due to sealing elements that can cause contaminated air to escape during insertion or removal of the filter cartridge.
Innovation Solution
The filter unit design features two sealing elements arranged at an acute angle, inclined in opposite directions relative to the longitudinal center plane, ensuring precise positioning and easy insertion and removal of the filter cartridge, with one sealing element on the filter element and the other on the cassette holder, allowing for a reliable seal without air leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the filter cartridge is held in position by frictional force between sealing elements and the housing, then the filter cartridge can be securely retained, but the sealing elements are subject to high stress concentrations and require precise positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The filter unit is divided into modular components: a filter cartridge containing the filter element, a cartridge holder with retaining parts, and a housing with filter holder. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the retaining parts provide mechanical retention without requiring the sealing elements to bear full retention stress, reducing stress concentrations and positioning requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge holder acts as an intermediary component between the filter cartridge and the housing. It provides a frame surrounding the filter cartridge with retaining parts that mechanically secure the cartridge, transferring the retention function away from the sealing elements and reducing their stress and positioning requirements.
2Reliability
If the sealing elements are positioned precisely to ensure sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing and assembly precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements are made as flexible rings that can elastically deform to conform to the mating surfaces. This flexibility compensates for manufacturing tolerances and positioning variations, maintaining effective sealing without requiring high precision in the positioning of the sealing elements during manufacturing and assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined positioning of the sealing elements creates an inherent mechanical advantage that distributes contact forces and provides a self-adjusting sealing mechanism. The geometry is designed beforehand to accommodate normal manufacturing variations while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
3Reliability
If the sealing elements are inclined at an acute angle, then sealing contact is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements are positioned with an asymmetric acute angle inclination relative to the longitudinal median plane of the filter cartridge. This asymmetric geometry optimizes the sealing contact by creating favorable force distribution and contact pressure, while the overall structure remains relatively simple because the inclination is integrated into the basic positioning of the sealing elements rather than requiring additional complex mechanisms.
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 facilitates easy and trouble-free installation and removal of the filter cartridge, preventing contaminated air from entering the vacuum cleaner and ensuring a perfect seal, thus maintaining the functionality of the filter unit.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first sealing element (37), which is inclined at an acute angle opposite to a longitudinal median plane of the filter unit and the filter cartridge (6), respectively
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The filter unit has a filter cartridge (6), at least one filter element (5), and at least one first sealing element (37). The filter unit also has a cartridge holder (7) into which the filter cartridge (6) is inserted. The cartridge holder (7) is provided with an air passage opening (16) which is sealed against an air passage opening of the filter cartridge (6) by at least one second sealing element (26). The two sealing elements (26, 37) are inclined at an acute angle opposite to a longitudinal median plane of the filter unit and the filter cartridge (6), respectively. The filter cartridge (6) can be inserted into a holder unit that has a retaining part (41) for receiving the filter cartridge (6), which is advantageously a frame surrounding the filter cartridge (6).