Self-Cleaning Fluid Filtration Using Rotating Flow Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cyclonic vacuum cleaners require multiple components for particle filtration, leading to a bulky design and clogging issues with pre-separating grids, which increase air flow resistance and reduce suction power.
Innovation Solution
A compact pre-separating unit with a self-cleaning filtering mechanism, where a spouting part directs filtered fluid towards a particle collecting face, creating a secondary flow that removes particles and maintains air flow resistance by arranging the filtering means in a chamber with a specific distance and cross-sectional area configuration, allowing for continuous operation without the need for additional separators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pre-separating grid is used to filter particles with low mass density, then particle separation capability is improved, but air flow resistance increases and suction power is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes particles with low mass density (fibers, foam, confetti) from the air stream before they reach the main filter. The pre-separating grid is designed to intercept these lightweight particles early in the airflow path, preventing them from accumulating on the main filter and causing clogging. This extraction approach maintains high airflow resistance while preserving suction power.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-separating grid performs preliminary filtration of particles with low mass density before the air reaches the main filter. By addressing these particles in advance, the system prevents future clogging issues and maintains consistent airflow characteristics throughout operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple filtration components are used to filter a wide range of particles, then particle separation effectiveness is improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple filtration functions into a single integrated pre-separating grid component. Rather than using separate cyclonic separators, grids, and filters for different particle size ranges, the invention merges these functions into one compact unit that handles particles with low mass density efficiently. This consolidation reduces the overall device volume while maintaining separation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-separating grid is designed as a multi-functional component that can handle various types of particles with low mass density (fibers, foam, confetti, dust) simultaneously. This universal approach eliminates the need for multiple specialized separators, reducing device volume while maintaining the ability to filter a wide range of particles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a grid is used for pre-separation, then particle filtering capability is improved, but the grid clogs during usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of grid clogging into a benefit by designing the pre-separating grid with a specific geometry that promotes self-cleaning. The grid structure is arranged so that airflow patterns naturally prevent particle accumulation, transforming what could be a reliability issue into a maintenance-free feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-separating grid is designed with dynamic airflow characteristics that change as particles are removed. The geometry allows airflow patterns to adapt, maintaining cleaning effectiveness throughout operation. This dynamic design prevents the static clogging issues that plague traditional grids.
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 provides a compact, self-cleaning filtration system that maintains consistent air flow resistance and suction power, reducing the need for multiple filtration components and enabling continuous operation by effectively removing particles from the filtering means.
Implementation Method 1
arranged to generate, during operation of the device, a rotating flow pattern in the fluid that is present in the chamber under the influence of the flow of the fluid to be filtered, wherein the rotating flow pattern is confined by at least a portion of the particle collecting face of the filtering means for creating a shear force between the fluid in motion and the particle collecting face of the filtering means
Implementation Method 2
a rotating flow pattern in the fluid that is present in the chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (1) comprises filtering means (30) for removing particles from a fluid, which have a particle collecting face (31) for collecting particles during use of the device (1), and a chamber (10) in which a fluid is present and in which the filtering means (30) are arranged. An inlet (11) of the chamber (10) comprises a spouting part (20) which serves for spouting the fluid to be filtered in a direction towards the particle collecting face (31) of the filtering means (30). An arrangement of the spouting part (20) and the particle collecting face (31) with respect to each other is adapted to generate, during operation of the device (1), a rotating flow pattern in the fluid that is present in the chamber (10) under the influence of the flow of the fluid to be filtered, whereby particles can be blown away from the particle collecting face (31).