Solid Fragrance Carrier Integrated into Vacuum Cleaner Filter Media

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vacuum cleaners lack an effective method to provide a pleasant scent or deodorize the air stream during operation, with existing solutions often requiring additional components or complex integration with the filtration system.

Innovation Solution

A solid fragrance carrier comprising a fragrance mixed with a polymeric matrix, such as a hot melt adhesive or polymeric gel, is applied to the filter media within the vacuum cleaner, allowing the fragrance to be emitted as the air stream passes through, providing a pleasant aroma without increasing airflow resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a fragrance or deodorizing element is added to the vacuum cleaner, then the air stream can be deodorized and fragrances can be provided, but additional components and complex integration with the filtration system are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair stream odorVSAvoidfiltration system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fragrance is combined with the hot melt adhesive used in the filtration system, merging the deodorizing function with the existing structural component. This eliminates the need for separate fragrance containers or additional integration steps, directly resolving the contradiction between providing fragrance functionality and maintaining system simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hot melt adhesive serves dual functions: as a structural bonding agent in the filtration system and as a fragrance carrier. This multi-functionality approach allows the same component to perform both mechanical and deodorizing roles, reducing overall system complexity while effective air stream treatment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a solid fragrance carrier is applied to the filter media, then the fragrance can be emitted as air passes through, but the adhesive material must withstand vacuum cleaner operating temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair stream odorVSAvoidadhesive stability at high temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hot melt adhesive is selected or formulated with specific thermal parameters (melting point, thermal stability) that match the vacuum cleaner operating conditions. By adjusting the adhesive's physical parameters to withstand high temperatures, the fragrance carrier maintains reliability while still enabling effective deodorizing function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The solution uses a composite material system where the hot melt adhesive is formulated with fragrance compounds. This composite structure allows the adhesive to simultaneously provide structural integrity at high temperatures and serve as a fragrance reservoir, resolving both the temperature reliability requirement and the deodorizing function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 effectively deodorizes and fragrances the air stream, enhancing the user experience without compromising suction power or requiring additional components, as the fragrance is integrated seamlessly into the filtration system.

Implementation Method 1

A solid fragrance carrier comprising a fragrance mixed with a polymeric matrix, such as a hot melt adhesive or polymeric gel, is applied to the filter media

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

allowing the fragrance to be emitted as the air stream passes through

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP2695563B1Solid fragrance carrier and method of use in a vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 BISSELL HOMECARE INC
  • EP2695563B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6
  • EP2695563B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2A
  • EP2695563B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4B

AI summary

A solid fragrance carrier (32) comprising a fragrance-containing polymeric matrix adhesively bonded to a filter (18) or filter bag (360) for filtering an air stream in a vacuum cleaner (10) for providing a fragranced scent to air exhausted from the vacuum cleaner (10).