Vacuum cleaner bag, package for vacuum cleaner bag, vacuum cleaner with a vacuum cleaner bag and method for detecting at least one pollutant on a vacuum cleaner bag

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaner bags do not provide users with information about the dust and pollutants they collect, making it difficult to take necessary countermeasures against potentially hazardous substances.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating sensors into the vacuum cleaner bag to detect pollutants, which can measure and display the concentration of dust and pollutants, and control cleaning units based on measurement results, such as UV irradiation or disinfectant application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If sensors are integrated into the vacuum cleaner bag to detect pollutants, then users can obtain information about dust and pollutants, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation about pollutantsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is integrated directly into the vacuum cleaner bag structure, nesting the detection function within the existing bag component. This eliminates the need for separate external sensing systems and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to detect pollutants in the collected dust.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The vacuum cleaner bag is designed to serve multiple functions: it collects dust through filtration and simultaneously detects pollutant types through the integrated sensor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate collection and detection systems, thereby reducing device complexity while providing comprehensive pollutant information.

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

2Productivity

If cleaning units are activated based on sensor measurements, then targeted cleaning actions can be performed, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the sensor measurements to automatically control the cleaning units. When the sensor detects specific pollutants above certain thresholds, it triggers appropriate cleaning actions such as UV irradiation or disinfectant dosing. This automated feedback loop improves cleaning efficiency by targeting specific contamination types while managing control complexity through rule-based decision logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The vacuum cleaner system performs self-diagnosis and self-treatment by using sensor data to automatically activate appropriate cleaning units. The system serves itself by detecting contamination and initiating remediation without requiring external intervention or complex manual control, thereby improving productivity while keeping the control system relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 users to receive qualitative and quantitative information about pollutants, allowing for targeted cleaning actions and providing safety through real-time pollutant detection and response.

Implementation Method 1

at least one sensor for detecting organic pollutants can switch on a cleaning unit on the vacuum cleaner if increased cleaning is to be carried out when a certain load of an organic pollutant is exceeded

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Implementation Method 2

Such a cleaning unit on the vacuum cleaner can, for example, be a UV irradiation unit in the flow path toward or away from the vacuum cleaner bag

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV irradiation:

Implementation Method 3

Alternatively or additionally, a dosing device for a disinfectant can be provided on the vacuum cleaner, which is controlled depending on the measurement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDisinfection:

Data Source

PatentEP3571973B1Vacuum cleaner bag, package for vacuum cleaner bag, vacuum cleaner with a vacuum cleaner bag and method for detecting at least one pollutant on a vacuum cleaner bag
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 WOLF PVG GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3571973B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3571973B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

A vacuum cleaner bag (1) comprises at least one sensor (10) for detecting at least one pollutant, preferably including a display (12) for visualizing the measurement result of the at least one sensor. Furthermore, packaging for vacuum cleaner bags can include at least one sensor and/or a test kit for detecting and visualizing at least one pollutant. A vacuum cleaner can perform a measurement to detect a pollutant via at least one sensor on or in a vacuum cleaner bag, the sensor being connected to an evaluation unit of the vacuum cleaner. A method for detecting at least one pollutant on a vacuum cleaner bag is also provided.