Rotatable Dust Separator for Self-Cleaning Handheld Vacuum Cleaners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum cleaners, particularly handheld models, face reduced suction power due to clogged dust separation devices, which are often neglected by users due to the inconvenience of cleaning or replacing them.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable and displaceable dust separation device that uses centrifugal force from a twisting movement to eject adhering dust particles, allowing for easy cleaning without manual removal, utilizing turbine blading and a spring mechanism to facilitate rotation without additional motor support, and an optional fresh air flow for cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the dust separation device is made stationary and fixed in the dust collection space, then the device structure is simple and reliable, but the dust separation device becomes clogged with adhering dust particles over time and requires manual cleaning or replacement which users find inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The dust separation device is made rotatable about an axis of rotation instead of being stationary. The turbine blading is positioned to engage with the suction air flow when the device is in the cleaning position, causing the dust separation device to rotate and throw off adhering dust particles through centrifugal force. This dynamic design allows the device to self-clean without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The dust separation device cleans itself by utilizing the suction air flow generated by the suction fan. When the device is in the cleaning position, the suction air flow acts on the turbine blading to rotate the dust separation device, which automatically throws off accumulated dust particles. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual cleaning or replacement by users.
2Ease of operation
If the dust separation device is made rotatable to enable self-cleaning, then cleaning convenience is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional moving parts and positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The dust separation device is designed to be longitudinally displaceable between suction position and cleaning position, and rotatable about an axis of rotation. The turbine blading is positioned to engage with the suction air flow only in the cleaning position, enabling rotation for self-cleaning. This dynamic design allows the device to self-clean without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The dust separation device serves dual functions: in the suction position, it performs dust separation during normal operation; in the cleaning position, it performs self-cleaning through rotation induced by the suction air flow acting on the turbine blading. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate cleaning mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If an additional motor element is added to rotate the dust separation device for cleaning, then the cleaning function is improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dust separation device cleans itself by utilizing the suction air flow generated by the suction fan. When the device is in the cleaning position, the suction air flow acts on the turbine blading to rotate the dust separation device, which automatically throws off accumulated dust particles. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual cleaning or replacement by users.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction air flow generated by the suction fan is used to rotate the dust separation device during cleaning. The air flow acts on the turbine blading to induce rotational movement, eliminating the need for an additional motor element. This pneumatic drive reduces energy consumption and device complexity.
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
This design minimizes the need for frequent cleaning or replacement of the dust separation device, maintaining optimal suction performance by allowing users to clean the device simply and conveniently, ensuring continuous operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a suction fan (6) that generates a suction air flow (17) when used as intended
Implementation Method 2
the dust separation device has turbine blading (21), which causes a corresponding twisting movement of the dust separation device in the event of a suction air flow flowing past it
Implementation Method 3
the dust separation device is cleaned in that dust particles, impurities and/or similar contaminants adhering to it are thrown off by the centrifugal force induced as a result of the twisting movement
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, in particular a hand-held vacuum cleaner, with a housing (2) which provides a dust-collecting space (4) and a dust-separating device (9) which is arranged in the dust-collecting space (4). In order to propose a vacuum cleaner of the type mentioned at the outset which, while at the same time ensuring operational suction power due to its design, helps to reduce to a minimum the cleaning and/or replacement of the dust separator device that the user finds annoying, the invention proposes a vacuum cleaner which is characterized in that the Dust separation device is designed to be rotatable about an axis of rotation.