Filter system and a vacuum cleaner incorporating a filter system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional filter systems in vacuum cleaners become blocked over time, reducing their permeability and suction power, requiring manual disassembly for cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A filter system with automated self-cleaning mechanism, featuring a housing with reconfigurable positions, first and second filtering means, and driving means powered by a battery or engine to agitate and remove dirt from the filter medium without opening the cover, utilizing a movable panel and rotating drum for effective cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional filter systems are used in vacuum cleaners, then dirt can be blocked from the motor, 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 movable panel with ports can be shifted to align with through-holes in the housing, allowing accumulated dirt to be discharged from the filter medium into the bin automatically, thereby maintaining suction power while continuing to protect the motor.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed with a movable panel that can change position between blocking and unblocking states. This dynamic structure allows the system to transition from a dirty state (ports blocked by filter medium) to a cleaning state (ports aligned with through-holes for dirt discharge), resolving the contradiction between maintaining protection and maintaining productivity.
2Reliability
If traditional filter systems are used, then dirt can be retained in the bin, but manual disassembly is required to clean the filter medium
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-cleaning through automated operation of the movable panel. When cleaning is needed, the panel shifts to align ports with through-holes, enabling automatic dirt discharge without requiring the user to open the housing or manually clean the filters, thus maintaining both dirt retention and cleaning convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is segmented from the main housing structure through the movable panel mechanism. This allows the cleaning operation to be performed independently through panel movement, separating the cleaning action from the need to disassemble the entire housing, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining dirt retention.
3Extent of automation
If the housing is made reconfigurable with movable panels for automatic cleaning, then filter maintenance is automated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automation function is achieved through a segmented movable panel design rather than a completely redesigned housing. The panel with ports can be independently shifted to align with fixed through-holes, creating a relatively simple automated cleaning mechanism that achieves high extent of automation with minimal increase in 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
Maintains efficient air flow and suction power by automatically cleaning the filters, eliminating the need for manual disassembly and ensuring continuous operation of the vacuum cleaner.
Implementation Method 1
a filter medium configured to separate dirt from the dirt-laden air passing from the inlet to the outlet through the filter medium
Implementation Method 2
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
Data Source
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.