A filter system and a vacuum cleaner incorporating a filter system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional filter systems in vacuum cleaners become blocked over time, reducing their permeability and suction power, requiring manual disassembly and cleaning to restore efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An automated self-cleaning filter system with a housing that includes first and second filtering means, featuring a driving mechanism powered by a battery or engine, which agitates dirt from the filter medium without needing to open the vacuum cleaner's cover, using movable panels and a rotating cylindrical drum to remove accumulated dirt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional filter systems are used in vacuum cleaners, then dirt can be separated from air flow, but the filters become blocked over time reducing permeability and suction power
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system incorporates an automated cleaning mechanism that operates without user intervention. A driving mechanism powered by a battery or engine agitates the filter medium through a rotating cylindrical drum with protrusions that contact and vibrate the filter, automatically removing accumulated dirt and restoring permeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning mechanism uses mechanical vibration to remove dirt from the filter medium. The rotating cylindrical drum with protrusions creates vibratory motion that agitates the filter material, dislodging accumulated particles and maintaining filter effectiveness without manual intervention.
2Ease of operation
If filters are cleaned manually by opening the cover, then dirt can be removed from the filter medium, but the housing must be dismantled which increases complexity and reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-maintenance through an automated cleaning mechanism accessible within the sealed housing. The driving mechanism and rotating drum are contained within the housing structure, allowing the filter to clean itself without requiring users to open or dismantle the housing, thereby maintaining ease of operation while managing complexity internally.
3Extent of automation
If automated cleaning mechanism is added, then filter can be cleaned without manual disassembly, but the device complexity increases due to additional driving means
Solution Approach 1:
The driving mechanism serves multiple functions: it powers the rotating cylindrical drum for filter agitation, operates the movable panel for dirt discharge, and can control the timing of cleaning cycles. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing device complexity while achieving high automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning mechanism combines several functions into a single integrated system: the rotating drum both agitates the filter medium and transports dislodged dirt to the discharge location, while the movable panel serves both as a closure and as part of the dirt ejection mechanism. This merging of functions reduces overall system complexity.
4Productivity
If filter medium is cleaned in place, then continuous operation is maintained, but dirt accumulation on filter reduces suction power
Solution Approach 1:
The automated cleaning mechanism operates periodically to maintain filter permeability throughout continuous vacuum cleaner operation. By continuously removing accumulated dirt through mechanical agitation and discharge, the system ensures that suction power remains consistent without interrupting the vacuum cleaner's productive operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning mechanism performs preliminary maintenance by removing dirt buildup before it significantly impacts filter permeability and suction power. The periodic agitation and discharge cycles prevent severe clogging, maintaining optimal performance throughout extended operation periods.
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 system maintains suction power and prevents motor clogging by automatically cleaning the filters, ensuring continuous operation without manual intervention and reducing dust accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
driving means configured to control and couple the filter cleaning means to the filter medium of the first filtering means
Implementation Method 2
filter medium configured to separate dirt from the dirt-laden air passing from the inlet to the outlet through the filter medium
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A filter system for a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The system comprises a housing reconfigurable relative to a bin between an operative configuration in which the housing is disposed upon the bin so that dirt separated from dirt-laden air can collect in the bin, and an idle configuration in which the housing is removed from the bin. The housing comprises an inlet for receiving dirt-laden air into the housing, an outlet via which cleaned air can exit the housing. The system further comprises first filtering means and second filtering means disposed within the housing, the first filtering means being positioned upstream of the second filtering means. The first and second filtering means comprises a filter medium configured to separate dirt from the dirt-laden air passing from the inlet to the outlet through the filter medium. The system further comprises filter cleaning means for removing dirt from the filter medium of the first filtering means when the housing is configured at least in the operative configuration.