Floor Cleaner Filter Basket Design for Improved Debris Capture
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor cleaners lack an efficient mechanism for filtering debris from the airflow after fluid and debris separation, leading to reduced filtration efficiency and increased maintenance frequency.
Innovation Solution
A floor cleaner design featuring a recovery tank with a filter basket positioned in the outlet duct, where the filter basket has a perforated sidewall allowing airflow while inhibiting debris passage, enhancing filtration surface area and reducing airflow impedance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional filtration system is used in floor cleaners, then the structure is simple, but the filtration efficiency is reduced and maintenance frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system is segmented into multiple functional zones: a pre-filter section for large debris, a main filter section with pleated filtering media, and a post-filter section. This segmentation allows each zone to handle specific particle sizes, improving overall filtration efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element uses a pleated design that expands the filtration surface area from a two-dimensional flat structure to a three-dimensional pleated structure. This dimensional transformation increases the effective filtering surface without significantly increasing the footprint, thereby improving filtration efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Area of stationary object
If a compact filter design is used, then the device size is reduced, but the filtration surface area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pleated filter design transforms a flat two-dimensional filter into a three-dimensional pleated structure, maximizing the use of vertical space within the filter basket. This allows the filtration surface area to extend in the vertical dimension rather than requiring horizontal expansion, effectively increasing filtering capacity within a compact volume
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element is designed to nest efficiently within the filter basket when not in use, and the pleated structure allows the filter media to be compacted into a small volume while maintaining a large surface area. This nesting capability allows the system to achieve high filtration surface area without proportionally increasing the overall device volume
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 increases filtration efficiency and extends the interval between maintenance, ensuring cleaner air discharge by effectively capturing debris and maintaining airflow.
Implementation Method 1
The suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and the recovery tank and is configured to generate an airflow through the fluid flow path to draw fluid and debris from the surface to be cleaned through the suction nozzle and into the recovery tank
Implementation Method 2
The sidewall includes perforations to allow air flow to pass through the filter basket and inhibit debris from passing through the basket
Data Source
AI summary
A floor cleaner having a recovery tank, a suction source, and a filter basket. The suction source is configured to generate an airflow along a fluid flow path to draw fluid and debris from a surface to be cleaned into the recovery tank. The recovery tank has an outlet duct on a tank body. The filter basket is positioned in the outlet duct on the tank body and configured to filter debris from the airflow.