Flat Vacuum Cleaner Bag with Diffuser to Prevent Premature Clogging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaner filter bags tend to clog prematurely due to inadequate distribution of inflowing dirt particles, leading to reduced dust storage capacity and service life.

Innovation Solution

A flat vacuum cleaner bag with a diffuser made of flat structures featuring elongated flow openings, arranged in an intermediate plane between the bag top and bottom, which swirls incoming air laden with dust particles, preventing clogging and extending the service life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional filter bag without diffusers is used, then the structure is simple, but dust particles are inadequately distributed leading to premature clogging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter bag interior is segmented into multiple levels by introducing diffusers at intermediate planes. These diffusers divide the incoming airflow into multiple partial flows, creating a more uniform distribution of dust particles throughout the filter bag volume. This segmentation prevents premature clogging by ensuring that dust is dispersed across multiple chambers rather than concentrating in one area, thereby extending service life while adding moderate structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single-plane filter structure to a multi-level three-dimensional structure by positioning diffusers at intermediate planes within the bag. This dimensional change creates vertical stratification of airflow paths, allowing dust particles to be distributed across different height levels. The multi-level arrangement maximizes the utilization of bag volume and prevents localized clogging, improving reliability without excessive complexity.

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

2Quantity of substance

If the inlet opening area is increased to improve dust distribution, then dust storage capacity increases, but the bag top area is limited

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

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing the inlet opening area at the bag top (two-dimensional limitation), the invention utilizes the third dimension by introducing intermediate planes with diffusers inside the bag. This vertical dimensionality allows the effective filtration area to extend throughout the bag volume rather than being constrained to the bag top surface, thereby increasing dust storage capacity without exceeding the bag top area limitation.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The filtration function is segmented across multiple levels within the bag by positioning diffusers at intermediate planes. This creates multiple filtration zones vertically distributed throughout the bag, effectively increasing the total filtration capacity and dust storage volume without requiring a larger bag top area. Each level contributes to dust distribution, maximizing the utilization of available bag volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If flow distributors are added to improve airflow distribution, then dust retention capacity improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust retention capacityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The diffusers positioned at intermediate planes serve multiple functions simultaneously: they distribute incoming airflow into partial flows, create turbulence to prevent dust accumulation, and extend the effective filtration path length. This multi-functionality improves dust retention capacity without requiring multiple separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired reliability improvement.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the airflow distribution function with the structural framework of the filter bag by integrating diffusers into the bag walls at intermediate planes. This consolidation combines what could be separate components into a unified structure, improving dust retention through better airflow distribution while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Implementation Method 1

the at least one diffuser is connected to the bag wall on at least one side... swirls incoming air laden with dust particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP2442702B2Flat bag for a vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 EUROLIFTERS HLDG NV
  • EP2442702B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2442702B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2442702B2 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a flat bag for vacuum cleaners, comprising at least one diffuser made of material strips and/or web material from at least one intermediate level and having longitudinally shaped flow openings. Such flat bags are characterized by excellent dust holding capacity and extended service life.