Filtering assembly, vacuum cleaner and cleaning set

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand-held vacuum cleaners face issues with high cost, heavy weight, large air volume loss, poor dust collection efficiency, and cumbersome manual filter cleaning, which can be harmful to users and ineffective in cleaning dust from the dust cup and filter assembly.

Innovation Solution

A filter assembly with a cyclone separator and HEPA assembly, featuring a spiral air guide structure and air outlet holes, allows for both primary and secondary filtration, and a self-cleaning mode that uses positive pressure to clean the interior and exterior of the filter and dust cup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional cyclone filter structure is used for gas-solid separation, then the structure is simple, but the functional versatility is limited and cannot perform self-cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cyclone filter structure is redesigned to perform multiple functions: primary filtration during dust suction, self-cleaning during dust collection, and dust discharge. The air outlet hole and air guide structure enable the filter to utilize its own airflow for self-cleaning, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If additional suction devices are added to the base station for dust collection, then dust collection capability is improved, but the weight of the cleaning set increases and air volume loss increases due to long suction channels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust collection capabilityVSAvoidweight of cleaning set
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum cleaner's fan assembly serves dual purposes: generating negative pressure for dust suction during cleaning operations, and generating positive pressure for dust collection and filter self-cleaning during base station docking. This eliminates the need for separate suction devices in the base station, reducing weight and avoiding air volume losses from long suction channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If manual cleaning of the filter element is performed by dismounting and washing, then filtering effect can be restored, but the cleaning process is cumbersome and inefficient and may expose users to dust

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering effectVSAvoidcleaning convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly automatically cleans itself during the dust collection process. High-speed airflow from the fan assembly passes through the air guide structure and air outlet holes to blow dust and sundries off the filter element surface into the dust collection cavity. This self-cleaning mechanism restores filtering effect without requiring user intervention, eliminating exposure risks and operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If contact cleaning structures like scrapers or brush strips are used, then cleaning capability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex, noise increases, and the filter screen may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning capabilityVSAvoidcleaning structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical contact cleaning system (scrapers, brush strips) is replaced with a pneumatic non-contact cleaning system. High-speed airflow generated by the fan assembly is directed through the air guide structure and air outlet holes to remove dust from the filter element. This substitution eliminates mechanical complexity, reduces noise, and prevents filter screen damage while maintaining effective cleaning capability.

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

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

The solution realizes efficient gas-solid separation, reduces air volume loss, and effectively cleans the filter and dust cup without additional suction devices, providing a simple and effective self-cleaning mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

a cyclone separator for primary filtration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

an airflow forms a spiral airflow along an outer contour of the air guide structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

an HEPA assembly for secondary filtration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 4

In the dust blowing state, the airflow enters the filter support from the second air outlet holes and partly blows into a space between an outer wall of the filter screen and an inner wall of a dust cup body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPositive pressure airflow: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP4491076B1Filtering assembly, vacuum cleaner and cleaning set
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 SUZHOU SONGMU TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP4491076B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4491076B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4491076B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention discloses a filter assembly, a vacuum cleaner and a cleaning set. The filter assembly comprises a cyclone separator and an HEPA assembly; the cyclone separator comprises a filter support and a filter screen, an air guide structure which protrudes outwards in a radial direction and spirally extends towards one side of the filter screen is formed on a side wall of one end of the filter support, and a plurality of through first air outlet holes are formed in the air guide structure; and the HEPA assembly comprises an HEPA support and an HEPA body, a plurality of second air outlet holes are formed in the HEPA support, the HEPA body is arranged on the HEPA support and comprises a plurality of folds, and an airflow circulation channel in an axis direction of the cyclone separator is formed between any two adjacent folds. By arranging the spiral air guide structure and forming the spiral first air outlet holes in the air guide structure, gas-solid separation in a dust suction state is realized, and self-cleaning of an interior and an exterior of the filter assembly and an inner wall of a dust cup during self-dust collection is realized. The structure is simple, and a self-cleaning dust-discharging effect is good.