Upright Vacuum Cleaner Three-Duct Design for Large Filter Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor care devices, such as brush vacuum cleaners, face challenges in accommodating large filter elements due to their low overall height, which impairs suction performance, especially when accessing areas under furniture.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a third air duct as an exhaust air duct in the pivotable connecting element that directs exhaust air from the suction fan to a filter housing with an air outlet, allowing for relocation of the blow-out opening and enabling the use of larger filter elements without increasing the device's height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large filter element is accommodated in the brush attachment, then the filtration performance is improved, but the overall height of the brush attachment increases, impairing suction work under furniture
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum cleaner system is divided into two separate functional modules: the brush attachment (cleaning unit) and the filter housing (filtration unit). The filter element is relocated to the detachable filter housing, which can be positioned separately from the brush attachment. This segmentation allows the brush attachment to maintain a low profile for accessing areas under furniture, while the filter housing can accommodate a large filter element for improved filtration performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element is extracted from the brush attachment and placed in a separate filter housing. This extraction removes the spatial constraint of the brush attachment, allowing it to remain compact and low-height. The filter housing, being a separate component, can be designed with sufficient volume to house a large filter element without affecting the dimensions of the brush attachment.
2Reliability
If a large filter element is accommodated in the device, then the filtration performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter housing serves multiple functions: it houses the filter element, collects dirt and debris, and can be detached for easy filter replacement and cleaning. This multi-functionality consolidates several operations into a single component, reducing the need for additional separate parts and simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining improved filtration performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element is nested within the filter housing, which itself can contain collection chambers and other functional components. This nested arrangement allows efficient use of space and integrates multiple functions within a compact structure, reducing device complexity while accommodating a large filter element.
3Length of moving object
If the filter element is relocated to the filter housing, then the brush attachment height is reduced, but the accessibility to the filter element becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The filter housing is designed to be detachable and movable, allowing users to easily access the filter element by removing the housing from the main body. This dynamic design enables simple filter replacement and cleaning operations without requiring disassembly of the entire device, maintaining ease of operation despite the filter's relocation.
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
This configuration allows for the use of larger filter elements while maintaining suction performance and ensuring easy accessibility, addressing the limitations of previous designs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electric motor for a suction fan and for driving the brush roller being arranged in the brush attachment
Implementation Method 2
the exhaust air from the suction fan via a blow-out opening with a filter into an attachable filter housing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
Disclosed is an upright vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment for accommodating a driven brush roller, with at least one electric motor for a suction fan and for driving the brush roller being arranged in the brush attachment, and with at least three air ducts being formed in a pivotable connecting element between the brush attachment and a filter housing and the dirt-laden suction air is fed from the brush attachment to the filter housing through the first air duct, the filtered air is returned to the brush attachment through the second air duct and exhaust air from the suction fan back to the filter housing to an air outlet through the third air duct.