Self-Rotating Vacuum Filter for Automatic Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bagless vacuum cleaners with automatic filtration unit cleaning are complex and costly due to the need for additional components or motorization units to facilitate filter rotation and cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A bagless vacuum cleaner design where the filtration unit includes a freely rotating filter driven by the suction air stream, eliminating the need for external motorization and additional cleaning accessories, with a secondary air circuit for maintaining support cleanliness and preventing dirt accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed-type filter with rotary brushes is used to clean the filter surface, then the filter cleaning function is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to additional cleaning components
Solution Approach 1:
The filter cleans itself by utilizing the suction air stream that already passes through it. The air flow causes the filter to rotate, and this rotation generates centrifugal force that automatically removes particles from the filter surface, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The suction air stream is used to drive the filter rotation through pneumatic action. The air flow itself becomes the driving force, converting the suction function into a cleaning function without requiring mechanical brushes or motors
2Extent of automation
If a motorization unit is added to rotate the filter on itself, then automatic filter cleaning is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to additional motor and control components
Solution Approach 1:
The filter rotates automatically using the suction air stream as its drive source. The system uses its own operating medium (suction air) to perform the rotation function, eliminating the need for external motors or control units
Solution Approach 2:
The suction air stream serves dual purposes: it drives the filter rotation and simultaneously provides the cleaning action through centrifugal force. One resource (suction air) performs multiple functions (driving and cleaning)
3Device complexity
If the filter is made to rotate by suction air stream, then automatic cleaning is achieved without additional components, but the support means may accumulate dirt and hinder free rotation
Solution Approach 1:
A secondary air stream is introduced to blow across the support means (bearings/bronzes) and remove accumulated particles. This pneumatic cleaning action prevents dirt buildup that would impede filter rotation
Solution Approach 2:
A secondary air stream acts as an intermediary cleaning agent that removes particles from the support means, preventing them from accumulating and interfering with the filter's free rotation
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 an economical and effective automatic cleaning of the filtration unit without additional components or motorization, ensuring optimal filter rotation and cleanliness through centrifugal force generated by the suction air, while maintaining support cleanliness through a secondary air stream.
Implementation Method 1
The free rotation of the first filter determines a centrifugal force on the particles of dirt that obstruct its external surface, allowing the automatic cleaning thereof
Implementation Method 2
The depression of the second environment determines the third stream
Data Source
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AI summary
A bagless vacuum cleaner (10, 110) comprises a suction unit (26) to suck in a first stream (A) of air and dirt from the outside through a primary circuit (19) and a filtration unit (12) to filter the dirt sucked in by the suction unit (26). The filtration unit (12) comprises a first chamber (20), in fluidic connection with the primary circuit (19), put in depression by the suction unit (26) and inside which a first filter (14) is mounted, which rotates freely, or idle, on itself with respect to the first chamber (20) when it is hit by the first stream (A) sucked in by the suction unit (26).