Star-Shaped Pleated Filter Unit for Easier Dust Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter units for particle collection devices in power tools face challenges in efficiently filtering particles due to deformation of filter pleats and difficulty in cleaning, leading to reduced efficiency and service life.
Innovation Solution
A filter unit with a support element having a cross-sectional shape congruent with the filter element, featuring radial extensions and a serrated flow optimization geometry, which enhances dimensional stability, facilitates easy cleaning, and optimizes fluid flow, using a pleated filter with a star-shaped cross-section to minimize deformation and enhance cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a circular cross-sectional shape is used for the filter element, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the filter pleat spaces are not open enough for effective cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the filter element's cross-sectional shape from circular to star-shaped with radial extensions. This asymmetric geometry creates open filter pleat spaces between adjacent pleats that allow cleaning tools (brushes, air streams) to access and remove particles effectively, while still maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard molding processes
2Productivity
If the filter element is made with tight pleat spacing to increase filtering surface area, then filtration efficiency improves, but the filter pleats become more prone to deformation and harder to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The patent solves the contradiction by transitioning from a two-dimensional circular cross-section to a three-dimensional star-shaped cross-section with radial extensions. This dimensional change provides structural support at multiple radial positions, preventing pleat deformation while maintaining tight pleat spacing for high filtration efficiency, and simultaneously creates channels for effective cleaning access
3Reliability
If the support element is added to reinforce the filter element, then structural stability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support element with the filter element by integrating it into the same star-shaped cross-sectional structure. The radial extensions of the support element align with and reinforce the filter pleats, providing structural stability without requiring separate components or complex assembly processes, thus minimizing device complexity
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 provides effective particle filtration with reduced deformation, efficient cleaning, and extended service life by ensuring stable pleat gaps and easy removal of particles, enhancing the overall performance of the filter unit.
Implementation Method 1
at least one filter element, in particular a pleated filter, for filtering particles from a fluid flowing through the filter element
Implementation Method 2
When the filter unit is held upright, particles or dust can fall out of the filter pleat spaces due to gravity, especially when blows are applied to the filter
Data Source
AI summary
A filter unit for a particle collection device, in particular for a dust box, which is detachably attached to a power tool, in particular an eccentric or orbital sander, includes at least one filter element, in particular a pleated filter, for filtering particles from a fluid flowing through the filter element, and at least one support element arranged at one end of the filter element, in particular by a material bond. The support element has a cross-sectional shape that is congruent with a cross-sectional shape of the filter element, which deviates from a circular cross-sectional shape and is, in particular, star-shaped.