Disposable Vacuum Bag Airflow Layout to Reduce Dust Re-Deposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing disposable dust bag arrangements in vacuum cleaners often suffer from fragility, leakage issues, and inefficient airflow due to rigid conduits and horizontal air entry, which can lead to dust re-deposition and increased manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A disposable dust bag design featuring a flexible, collapsible tube within the bag, with an upwardly positioned duct and a collar on the base, reducing weight and manufacturing costs, while improving airflow and minimizing dust re-deposition through a flexible seal and reinforced top section.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid conduit is used to guide dirty air to the bag, then structural strength is improved, but weight and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit structural strengthVSAvoidvacuum cleaner weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid conduit structures with flexible thin-walled tubing that guides dirty air from the cleaning head to the bag. This flexible tubing significantly reduces weight while maintaining sufficient structural integrity for the application, directly resolving the contradiction between strength and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If a rigid conduit is used to guide dirty air to the bag, then structural strength is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit structural strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible thin-walled tubing is simpler and less expensive to manufacture than rigid conduit assemblies, reducing manufacturing costs while providing adequate structural performance for guiding airflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The design leverages airflow pressure and the flexibility of the tubing to maintain structural adequacy without requiring expensive rigid materials or complex assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Productivity

If dirty air exits through a duct that angles off the conduit into an upper portion of the bag, then airflow is improved, but dust re-deposition increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow efficiencyVSAvoiddust re-deposition

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of directing dirty air into the upper portion of the bag where dust can re-deposit, the patent positions the duct opening at the bottom of the bag. This inversion of the conventional approach allows air to enter from below, improving airflow efficiency while preventing dust re-deposition onto incoming air streams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Productivity

If the disposable bag is made from porous material, then filtration is improved, but bag strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidbag strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite construction with a porous filtration layer combined with a stronger structural layer or reinforcement elements. This composite approach maintains high filtration efficiency through the porous material while the additional structural components provide the necessary strength to prevent bag failure during use.

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 design enhances airflow efficiency, reduces dust re-deposition, and lowers manufacturing costs by using a lightweight, flexible tube and elastic seal, ensuring better performance and handling of the vacuum cleaner.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic seal (70) on the collar that engages the duct to seal against the outside of the duct

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Vacuum bags are commonly made from porous material, such as porous paper, that traps most dirt particles as the air flows through the material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration through porous material: Porosity

Implementation Method 3

The motor also drives an impeller 22 that sucks air and dirt from the area being cleaned

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS8087124B2Vacuum cleaner and disposable vacuum cleaner bag

Publication Date: 2012.01.03 GREAT STAR TOOLS USA INC

AI summary

The disclosed disposable vacuum cleaner has a disposable bag with a collar at the bottom, rather than on the sides. Dirty air enters the bag vertically, rather than horizontally, through a duct that is positioned near the floor, separate from the handle on the vacuum cleaner. An elongated, light-weight tube is disposed within the bag, and has a lower end that is connected to the collar. The tube is made of a thin, lightweight, lay-flat tubing with opposed creases, and is flexible and collapsible. It has a length that is greater than half the height of the sides of the bag. The collar has a seal that is trapped between two pieces of mounting material and extends around the periphery of the duct, providing an elastic seal. The bag has a top that is reinforced with a cardboard support. Extending flanges on the support can be used to suspend the bag from arms in the vacuum cleaner.