Flat Vacuum Cleaner Bag Diffuser to Prevent Inlet Clogging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum cleaner filter bags often become clogged prematurely due to inadequate distribution of inflowing dirt particles, leading to reduced dust storage capacity and service life.

Innovation Solution

A flat bag design featuring a diffuser made of material strips or flat structures with elongated flow openings arranged at an intermediate level, connected to the bag wall, which swirls incoming air laden with dust particles, preventing clogging and extending the service life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a small deflection device is mounted at the inlet opening to deflect air flow, then the air flow is deflected in the area of the inlet opening, but the bag becomes clogged by dust collected between the inlet opening and the deflection device, reducing dust storage capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow deflectionVSAvoiddust storage capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional deflection device at the inlet opening to a three-dimensional diffuser structure that extends deeper into the bag interior. This diffuser comprises multiple plates arranged in series, creating a volumetric flow distribution system that addresses dust deposition in the previously problematic zone between the inlet and deflection device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The diffuser is divided into multiple separate plates (at least two plates) arranged in series within the bag interior. Each plate contributes to progressive flow distribution, preventing dust accumulation in any single zone while maintaining overall flow deflection functionality. This segmented approach eliminates the clogging problem of single-plate designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If flow distributors are attached at the inlet opening to divide and deflect air flow, then separation performance is improved, but the device complexity increases with multiple flow distributors and spacing means

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple flow distribution functions are merged into a single integrated diffuser structure comprising series-connected plates. This unified design achieves the separation performance of multiple distributors while reducing overall structural complexity and eliminating the need for separate spacing means between multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves from planar flow distributors attached at the inlet to a three-dimensional series arrangement of diffuser plates extending into the bag interior. This spatial configuration provides progressive flow distribution with inherent spacing between plates, achieving separation performance without complex assembly requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Quantity of substance

If the diffuser area is increased to improve dust distribution, then dust storage capacity increases, but the area available for dust collection is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust storage capacityVSAvoidbag surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the third dimension (depth into the bag interior) to provide extensive flow distribution surface area through series-connected plates. This vertical stacking approach achieves comprehensive dust distribution without consuming excessive horizontal bag surface area, maintaining maximum dust collection capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The diffuser plates are designed as thin, flexible structures that can be stacked in series within the bag interior. These thin-film elements provide large cumulative surface area for flow distribution while occupying minimal space, preserving maximum volume for dust storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 diffuser design significantly enhances dust storage capacity and service life by preventing blockages at the air inlet, ensuring effective airflow and prolonged filter bag usability.

Implementation Method 1

The diffusers, which are formed from strips of material or flat structures provided with flow openings, cause the inflowing air laden with dirt and/or dust particles to be swirled.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP2263507B1Flat bag for a vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 EUROLIFTERS HLDG NV
  • EP2263507B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2263507B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2263507B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The flat bag has a bag upper side and bag lower side, whose bag walls are formed from an air permeable filter material, where an inlet opening is introduced in the bag top for the air to be filtered. A diffuser forming an intermediate level is arranged in the interior of the flat bag between the bag upper side and bag lower side, which comprises two single material strips or flat material structures, which have elongated flow openings. The diffuser is connected to a side of the bag wall.