Vacuum Filter Backflow Valve for Uninterrupted Suction Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaner filter cleaning methods either require interruption of suction operation or complex constructions to allow for simultaneous suction and filter cleaning, leading to inefficiencies and potential faults.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a closing valve with a closing spring and a resilient stop element, allowing for brief external air flow through the filter during suction operation without interrupting the vacuum's suction, using the stop element's repulsion force to quickly return the valve to its closed position, ensuring continuous suction and effective filter cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the closing valve is opened to allow external air to flow through the filter for cleaning, then the filter cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the suction operation is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The closing valve is opened periodically for brief intervals to allow external air to flow through the filter for cleaning, while remaining closed during normal suction operation. This periodic opening enables filter maintenance without requiring prolonged interruption of the vacuum cleaner's primary function.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient stop element ensures the valve returns to its closed position immediately after opening, minimizing the interruption duration. The suction operation continues uninterrupted except for brief moments when the valve is opened for filter cleaning, thus maintaining continuity of the useful action.
2Reliability
If the valve remains open for an extended period to clean the filter, then the filter cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the negative pressure in the dirt collecting container is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is opened only for the minimum necessary duration to achieve filter cleaning, then immediately closed by the resilient stop element. This brief opening is sufficient to allow external air to flow through the filter and dislodge particles, while minimizing the time during which negative pressure is compromised.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve operates in periodic cycles of brief opening followed by immediate closing, allowing filter cleaning to occur in short bursts without sustained disruption to the negative pressure required for suction operation.
3Productivity
If a complex construction with multiple filters is used to maintain suction during filter cleaning, then the suction operation continuity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter cleaning function is integrated into the existing single-filter system through the closing valve and resilient stop element mechanism. The system performs self-maintenance by allowing external air to flow through the same filter during brief valve openings, eliminating the need for separate backup filters or complex dual-filter arrangements.
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 continuous suction operation while effectively cleaning filters by briefly opening the valve to allow external air to flow through, maintaining negative pressure and preventing filter clogging without noticeable interruptions, thus ensuring efficient and uninterrupted cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
a valve body which is movable back and forth between a closed position and an open position, and is acted upon by a closing spring with a closing force
Implementation Method 2
additionally acted upon by the repulsion force of a resilient stop element, the resilient stop element only acting with a force upon the valve body when the latter is disposed at a distance from the valve seat
Implementation Method 3
the side of the at least one filter that is oriented away from the dirt collecting container is impinged upon by external air
Implementation Method 4
dirt and preferably also liquid can be sucked up using at least one suction unit to apply negative pressure to the dirt collecting container, so that a suction flow forms
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for cleaning the filters of a vacuum cleaner. A dirt collecting container of the vacuum cleaner has a suction inlet and is in flow connection with at least one suction unit via at least one filter and at least one suction extraction line. At least one external air inlet is provided which opens into the suction extraction line downstream of the filter and can be closed by a closing valve. The closing valve has a movable valve body which is acted upon by a closing spring with a closing force. In order to clean the filter, the closing valve is opened and the side of the filter that is oriented away from the dirt collecting container is impinged upon by external air. The valve body is acted upon, irrespective of its position, by the closing force of the closing spring and, in a position at a distance from the valve seat, additionally acted upon by a repulsion force of a resilient stop element.