Pre-filter bag for vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner including same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Previous vacuum cleaner designs with closed-ended pre-filter bags do not accommodate continuous, circumferential airflow, leading to inefficient dust and debris separation and potential face-loading of filter components.
Innovation Solution
A pre-filter bag with a radial inner and outer wall that forms a continuous, closed loop internal cavity, allowing cyclonic airflow and preventing debris from occluding airflow, connected between the vacuum cleaner's inlet and outlet, and featuring a flow guide to direct air tangentially for efficient debris collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a closed-ended pre-filter bag construction is used, then the filter bag structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it does not accommodate continuous circumferential airflow leading to inefficient dust separation and face-loading of filter components
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-filter bag is segmented into multiple functional zones including a cyclonic separation chamber, a filtration chamber, and a debris collection chamber. This segmentation allows different regions to perform specific functions (cyclonic separation, filtration, debris collection) simultaneously, enabling continuous airflow while maintaining efficient dust separation and preventing face-loading of the filter components
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a traditional linear or simple cylindrical filter bag design to a three-dimensional cyclonic structure with tangential airflow paths. The cyclonic chamber creates rotational airflow that moves debris along the inner walls downward into a collection chamber, adding a rotational dimension to the airflow pattern and enabling continuous separation without face-loading the filter
2Device complexity
If a traditional vacuum bag design is used, then the device structure is simple, but it allows debris to occlude airflow and requires frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the debris collection function from the main filtration path by providing a separate debris collection chamber at the bottom of the pre-filter bag. Debris is diverted into this chamber through the cyclonic action, removing it from the airflow path before it can reach and occlude the filter components, thereby maintaining continuous airflow and improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The cyclonic chamber acts as an intermediary between the inlet and the filter components. It receives the dirty airflow, performs preliminary separation of debris through rotational motion, and directs the pre-separated airflow to the filter. This intermediary structure protects the filter from direct exposure to unseparated debris, maintaining airflow continuity
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
Enables continuous airflow within the vacuum cleaner, reducing face loading of filters and allowing easy removal of collected debris, thereby enhancing cleaning efficiency and preventing airborne particle release.
Implementation Method 1
allowing cyclonic airflow and preventing debris from occluding airflow
Implementation Method 2
featuring a flow guide to direct air tangentially for efficient debris collection
Implementation Method 3
The power includes an impeller assembly that is operable to generate airflow through the canister from the inlet to the outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner includes a canister, a power head connected to a top of the canister, an inlet defined by one of the canister and the power head, an outlet defined by one of the canister and the power head, and a pre-filter bag disposed within the canister and fluidly connected between the inlet and the outlet. The power head includes an impeller assembly operable to generate airflow through the canister from the inlet to the outlet. The pre-filter bag includes an inlet port connected to the inlet, a radial inner wall, and a radial outer wall. The radial inner wall and the radial outer wall at least partially define an internal cavity and extend circumferentially about a central axis of the pre-filter bag such that the internal cavity forms a continuous, closed loop.