Vacuum Cleaner Filter Self-Cleaning Using Reversed Airflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaners fail to effectively clean filters while in operation, leading to clogged filters and reduced performance over time, necessitating manual cleaning and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The vacuum cleaner incorporates control valves in the air control space that redirect air flow to automatically clean filters by reversing the airflow direction, ensuring continuous cleaning and maintaining filter efficiency without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If filters are used in vacuum cleaner operation, then dust and debris are captured effectively, but filters gradually clog and become less serviceable over time
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum cleaner system performs self-maintenance by automatically cleaning its own filters during operation. The engine-driven air flow reverses through the filters periodically, removing accumulated dust without external intervention, thus maintaining filter serviceability indefinitely
Solution Approach 2:
The filter cleaning function operates periodically during vacuum cleaner use, with the control system reversing air flow through the filters at predetermined intervals to remove accumulated dust and maintain optimal filter performance
2Reliability
If manual cleaning of filters is performed, then filter performance is restored, but the vacuum cleaner operation is interrupted and energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically cleans its own filters using the engine's existing air flow capability, eliminating the need for external manual cleaning and the associated energy consumption and operational interruptions
Solution Approach 2:
The filter cleaning function is integrated into the normal operation cycle, allowing filters to be cleaned continuously during use rather than requiring interruption of the vacuuming operation, thus maintaining continuous productive action
3Ease of operation
If disposable filters are used, then replacement is simple, but energy consumption increases and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces disposable filters with permanently serviceable filters that can be cleaned and reused indefinitely, eliminating the need for continuous replacement and the associated energy consumption and environmental impact
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding used filters, the system recovers their functionality by automatically cleaning and reusing them, thereby eliminating waste and the energy required to manufacture and transport replacement filters
4Productivity
If air flow is directed to clean one filter at maximum efficiency, then cleaning performance is optimized, but other filters remain unclogged
Solution Approach 1:
The control system divides the filter cleaning function into discrete, manageable units, cleaning one filter at a time through controlled air flow reversal, which maximizes cleaning efficiency for each individual filter while maintaining overall system performance
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 solution allows for efficient and continuous filter cleaning, reducing energy consumption and extending filter service life, as filters are never clogged, with the option to manually or automatically control the cleaning process for optimal performance.
Implementation Method 1
a central housing and an underpressure space, and above this a suction unit and the suction unit engine, all these spaces being in mutual communication
Implementation Method 2
the control valves have closing means, which, by opening one valve to the outside air and closing the other valve, directs the air flow in the dust container under underpressure in the filter partly from the normal flow direction into the opposite flow direction
Data Source
AI summary
Vacuum cleaner consisting of a dust container (1) and filters (2) within this, and above these a control space (3) for air and in the control space control housings (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) and above these the central housing (4) and the underpressure space, and above this the suction unit (5) and the suction unit engine (6), all the units (1, 3, 4, 5) being in mutual communication. The control space (3) contains control valves (7, 8) for the air flow, by means of which, in normal use, the air flow is directed through the suction opening (9) in the dust container (1) to the exhaust air opening (10) in the suction unit (5) (arrows 9a, 9b, 9c) and the control valves comprise closing means, which, by opening the valve (7a) to the outside air and by dosing the valve (8a) directs the air flow in the dust container in the filter under underpressure partly from the normal flow direction (9a, 9b, 9c) to the opposite flow direction (11).