Self-Sealing Vacuum Cleaner Receptacle for Nuclear Dust Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaners for nuclear controlled areas generate excessive waste and risk contamination when replacing dust receptacles and filters, as the filter is often discarded unnecessarily and occupies large storage volumes, and there is no efficient way to prevent dust dissemination during maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The vacuum cleaner design features a filter and dust receptacle formed from juxtaposed bodies with releasable assembly means, including a diaphragm with elastic blades and a self-sealing connection, allowing for easy separation and closure to prevent dust release, enabling reuse of the filter and reducing waste volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the filter is discarded together with the dust receptacle, then the replacement operation is simple, but the waste volume increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereplacement operation simplicityVSAvoidwaste volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly is segmented into two separable parts: the filter element and the receptacle. The filter can be detached from the receptacle through a breaking operation, allowing the filter to be reused while only the contaminated receptacle is discarded. This segmentation directly reduces waste volume while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the filter is made large to ensure adequate filtration, then filtration performance is improved, but the storage container occupation becomes poor and waste volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration performanceVSAvoidstorage container occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the filter from the receptacle, the filter can be optimized for filtration performance without being constrained by the need to accommodate storage considerations. The filter element can be designed with appropriate size and shape for effective filtration, while the receptacle handles the storage function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of repair

If the dust receptacle is disassembled for replacement, then the filter can be accessed, but dust dissemination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter accessibilityVSAvoiddust dissemination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is extracted as a separate component that can be removed from the receptacle through a breaking operation. This allows the filter to be accessed and replaced independently without requiring full disassembly of the dust receptacle, thereby minimizing the risk of dust dissemination while maintaining ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If the filter and receptacle are permanently joined, then assembly simplicity is improved, but filter replacement and reuse become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidfilter replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the filter and receptacle is designed to be dynamic rather than permanent. The breaking operation allows the filter to be detached from the receptacle when needed, providing a balance between assembly simplicity and ease of replacement. The system transitions from a permanently joined state to a separable state based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 facilitates efficient replacement and reuse of the filter, minimizing waste generation and ensuring safe handling and storage of contaminated materials, while maintaining the vacuum cleaner's tightness to prevent dust release outside controlled environments.

Implementation Method 1

a diaphragm with elastic blades embedded in a lateral peripheral wall of the receptacle body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a suction duct (6) connected to the side peripheral wall of the receiver body (13) by entering it through a suction port

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP2822434B1Vacuum cleaner, in particular for use in a controled nuclear zone
Publication Date: 2016.04.20 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
  • EP2822434B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2822434B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

This vacuum cleaner comprises, in addition to a motor (1), a filter (2) and a dust container (3) that are arranged so that, when they are assembled, a conical end-fitting (12) at the bottom of the filter body (10) opens a diaphragm (16) formed from elastic strips (17) located at the top of the container body (13) and establishes communication between the filter and the container, thereby making it possible for dust to be freely sucked into and deposited in the bottom of the container (3). When, in contrast, they are separated, the strips of the diaphragm straighten out and clo wall se the container body (13), thereby preventing dust sucked up by the vacuum cleaner from dispersing.