Slide-Out Drum Filter Assembly for Clean Wet/Dry Vacuum Emptying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wet/dry vacuum cleaners require tedious and messy processes to remove debris from the filter and drum, often resulting in contamination of the surrounding area during filter cleaning or replacement.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner system with a filter support assembly that allows for easy removal of debris from the vacuum appliance without dislodging it from the filter, enabling the drum and filter to be removed as a unit, reducing the need to touch the debris and minimizing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the filter and drum are removed separately in current wet/dry vacuum cleaners, then the filter can be cleaned or replaced, but debris becomes dislodged and contaminates the surrounding area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the filter assembly with the drum assembly into a single integrated unit. The filter is positioned within the drum such that both components are removed together as one assembly, preventing debris from falling out during separation. This merging eliminates the harmful effect of debris contamination while maintaining ease of filter cleaning.
2Ease of operation
If the vacuum powerhead is removed and inverted for filter cleaning, then the filter can be accessed, but the process becomes tedious and messy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the filter assembly within the drum assembly in advance, so that when the drum is removed from the vacuum cleaner body, the filter is already accessible and contained within the drum. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for tedious inversion and cleanup processes, saving time and effort.
3Productivity
If the drum is removed from the vacuum cleaner, then debris can be emptied, but the filter must be separately removed and handled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the filter assembly with the drum assembly, creating a single removable unit. This reduces the number of separate components the user must handle from two (drum and filter) to one (combined drum-filter assembly), simplifying the debris removal process while maintaining productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A wet and dry vacuum cleaner system is disclosed, wherein the system includes a debris container having an inlet and outlet, a filter support having a filter and being adapted to situate at least a portion of the filter within the container and intermediate between the inlet and outlet, a vacuum unit adapted to be coupled to the container, and a housing. A wet/dry vacuum appliance system is also disclosed, which includes means for housing a vacuum unit, means for slidably receiving a debris container, and means for releasably holding the container in sealed engagement with the vacuum unit. In addition, methods of removing debris from such a vacuum cleaner and vacuum appliance systems are described.