Separation unit and vacuum cleaner with a separation unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaners face issues with unhygienic dirt handling during emptying and manual removal of fine dust particles from filters, particularly problematic for allergy sufferers.
Innovation Solution
A separation unit with a sweeping device that performs a sweeping motion due to rotational movement between the fine dust filter and cleaning device, allowing dirt to be hygienically emptied by sweeping it out of the filter cassette, and a separate fine dust collection chamber to prevent re-entrainment of fine dust in the airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical cleaning device is used to clean the fine dust filter, then the filter material can be cleaned effectively, but the loosened dirt is stirred up during emptying which is unhygienic and problematic for allergy sufferers
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of dirt being stirred up during emptying is extracted and isolated by directing the sweeping motion toward a specific discharge path. The sweeping device extracts loosened dirt from the filter cassette and channels it away from the emptying area, preventing re-entrainment into the air.
Solution Approach 2:
The sweeping device acts as an intermediary between the cleaning device and the dirt collection system. It receives loosened dirt from the filter material and transports it through a controlled path to the collection container, preventing direct contact and stirring up during manual emptying.
2Ease of operation
If the filter cassette is emptied manually, then fine dust particles remain in the filter cartridge requiring manual removal, but automated emptying mechanisms increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically sweeping and collecting dirt from the filter cassette during the emptying process. The sweeping device is activated automatically when the collection container is removed, eliminating the need for manual removal of fine dust particles from the filter cartridge.
Solution Approach 2:
The sweeping action is performed as a preliminary step before the user handles the collection container. By the time the user removes the container for emptying, all dirt has already been swept into it, so no additional manual cleaning of the filter cassette is required.
3Productivity
If the cleaning device rotates at high speed to effectively clean the filter, then cleaning efficiency improves, but the suction airflow may re-entrain fine dust particles
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of fine dust re-entrainment is extracted and prevented by creating a separate collection path. The sweeping device extracts loosened dirt before it can be picked up by the suction airflow, and directs it into the collection container through a path isolated from the suction stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The sweeping device serves as an intermediary that captures fine dust particles before they can be re-entrained by the suction airflow. It creates a separate transport mechanism that bypasses the suction stream, preventing the harmful interaction between high-speed cleaning and dust re-entrainment.
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
Facilitates easy and hygienic removal of dirt from the filter, preventing fine dust from being stirred up and ensuring efficient separation and collection without the need for manual handling.
Implementation Method 1
downstream of a cyclone separator
Implementation Method 2
the fine dust filter and the cleaning device are configured to perform a rotational movement relative to each other
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a separation unit (4) for a vacuum cleaner for separating dust and dirt particles from an airflow, wherein the separation unit (4) has a pre-filter (5) downstream of a cyclone separator, wherein the separation unit (4) has a fine dust filter (6) downstream of the pre-filter (5), wherein a filter material of the fine dust filter (6) is configured to separate dust and dirt particles from an airflow, wherein a mechanical cleaning device (9) is arranged on the fine dust filter, wherein the fine dust filter (6) and the cleaning device (9) are configured to perform a rotational movement relative to each other, wherein the cleaning device (9) has a cleaning axis (10) with a pulse generator (11).wherein the pulse generator (11) is configured to exert a pulse on the filter material of the fine dust filter (6) from the rotational movement, dislodging dust and dirt particles, wherein the fine dust filter (6) is arranged in a filter cassette (12) of the pre-filter (5), wherein a sweeping device (13) is arranged in the filter cassette (12) of the pre-filter (5), wherein the sweeping device (13) is configured to perform a sweeping movement (14) as a result of the rotational movement between the fine dust filter (6) and the cleaning device (9), wherein by means of the sweeping movement (14) dust and dirt particles dislodged from the fine dust filter (6) are swept out of the filter cassette (15) through an opening (15) in the filter cassette (12).