Ventilating unit for a suction apparatus, method for ventilating a suction apparatus, suction apparatus and use of an air flow for cleaning a filter of the suction apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaners require regular filter cleaning to prevent clogging, which can lead to reduced filtration capacity and potential damage to sensitive components, and existing solutions are either space-intensive or not suitable for compact designs.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation unit with a sliding element and actuator mechanism that allows for airflow to be directed into the vacuum cleaner's interior, cleaning filters through backflushing or pressure pulse cleaning, using the pressure difference between the interior and atmosphere to efficiently clean filters without increasing size or energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If backflushing methods with two filters and two filter chambers are used to maintain continuous suction operation, then continuous operation is maintained, but the device becomes space-intensive and cannot be made compact
Solution Approach 1:
The filter chamber is divided into a suction side and a discharge side by a filter, allowing the same chamber to serve dual purposes during different operational phases. This segmentation enables the chamber to be used for suction during normal operation and for backflushing during cleaning, eliminating the need for separate chambers for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation unit incorporates a movable operating unit with sliding elements that can dynamically transition between closed and open positions. This dynamic mechanism allows the system to switch between suction mode and backflushing mode using the same physical space, enabling continuous operation without requiring duplicate stationary chambers.
2Ease of manufacture
If mechanical methods for filter cleaning are used, then filter cleaning is achieved, but vibrations occur that can damage sensitive components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses pneumatic pressure differentials to clean the filter. The actuator creates a pressure difference between the suction side and discharge side of the filter, causing air to flow through the filter in the reverse direction. This pneumatic cleaning method eliminates mechanical vibrations while effectively removing dust and contaminants from the filter surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces mechanical tapping or vibration-based cleaning methods with a pneumatic system. Instead of using mechanical forces that generate damaging vibrations, the system uses controlled air pressure differentials to achieve filter cleaning, substituting mechanical action with pneumatic action.
3Reliability
If filters are cleaned regularly to prevent clogging, then filtration capacity is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator operates periodically to create pressure differentials for filter cleaning. By cycling between normal suction operation and brief backflushing intervals, the system maintains filter performance without requiring continuous energy input. The periodic activation of the actuator allows the motor to operate at optimal efficiency during suction while using minimal energy for intermittent cleaning cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The backflushing mechanism uses the existing suction airflow and pressure differentials generated during normal operation to clean the filter. The system essentially cleans itself by redirecting the airflow that is already present during suction, rather than requiring a separate high-energy cleaning system. The actuator merely needs to modulate the existing pressure differential rather than generate new high-energy flows.
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
Enables efficient filter cleaning with minimal maintenance, allowing for compact vacuum cleaner designs and reduced energy consumption, while maintaining continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
using the pressure difference between the interior and atmosphere to efficiently clean filters
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a ventilation unit for a suction apparatus, wherein the ventilation unit is designed to allow an air flow into an interior of the suction apparatus, wherein the ventilation unit has a first sliding element and a second sliding element which are connected by a connection element, wherein the first sliding element, the second sliding element and the connection element form a functional unit, which can be brought out of a closed position, into an open position, and vice versa, by means of an actuator. In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for ventilating a suction apparatus with a ventilation unit according to the invention, wherein firstly a suction apparatus having a ventilation unit is provided, the functional unit of which is in a closed position. By actuating the actuator, the functional unit is brought into an open position such that the interior of the ventilation unit and/or the suction apparatus can be ventilated by an air flow, which can pass through a first opening of the ventilation unit, which opening is released by a first sliding element, into the interior of the ventilation unit and/or the suction apparatus. In further aspects, the invention relates to the use of an air flow, which can be conducted into the interior of a suction apparatus in particular for dedusting a filter of the suction apparatus using at least one ventilation unit according to the invention.