Vacuum Cleaner Self-Cleaning Filter Using Exhaust Airflow Redirection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ash vacuum cleaners face issues with filter clogging due to dust accumulation, leading to reduced effective vacuuming time and shortened filter lifespan, along with the need for frequent filter disassembly and cleaning, which complicates user experience.

Innovation Solution

A self-cleaning vacuum cleaner system that includes a self-cleaning air passage and air supply passage with valves, allowing for airflow to be redirected to clean the filter, extending suction time, reducing filter disassembly needs, and enhancing user experience through a simplified operation mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the vacuum cleaner operates for a long time with large power and air intake, then the dust collection capability is improved, but dust accumulates on the filter causing reduced effective vacuuming time and shortened filter lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust collection capabilityVSAvoideffective vacuuming time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables the filter to clean itself automatically during the vacuuming process. Clean air from the motor exhaust is redirected through a self-cleaning air passage to blow dust off the filter surface, eliminating the need for manual intervention and allowing continuous operation without filter maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The self-cleaning function performs preventive maintenance by continuously removing dust accumulation from the filter during operation, before the filter becomes clogged and affects performance. This preliminary cleaning action maintains optimal airflow and suction power throughout the operating cycle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the user frequently disassembles the filter for cleaning, then the filter performance is maintained, but the cleaning workload increases and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter performanceVSAvoidcleaning workload
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The filter performs self-cleaning automatically through the redirected exhaust airflow that blows dust off the filter surface. This eliminates the need for users to manually disassemble and clean the filter, reducing maintenance workload while maintaining filter performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts the cleaning function from the user's manual tasks and transfers it to an automated mechanism using motor exhaust air. The self-cleaning air passage separates the cleaning function from manual operation, allowing the filter to maintain itself without user intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 self-cleaning system effectively prolongs the filter's service life, reduces maintenance workload, and provides a better user experience by extending the effective suction time and maintaining suction power, while allowing for easy operation and reduced filter cleaning frequency.

Implementation Method 1

a fan... when the vacuum cleaner is in a suction mode, an airflow enters the vacuum cleaner from an external environment via the air inlet under the action of the fan

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow generation: Fan

Implementation Method 2

a filter having a clean side and an unclean side... sequentially passes through the unclean air chamber, the filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

the upstream end of the self-cleaning air passage is communicated to the air outlet chamber, and the downstream end of the self-cleaning air passage is communicated to the clean side of the filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow cleaning: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP3549505B1Dust collector and self-cleaning method for filter thereof
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 SKYBEST ELECTRIC APPLIANCE (SUZHOU) CO LTD
  • EP3549505B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3549505B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3549505B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

One embodiment of the present application provides a vacuum cleaner that includes an air inlet, a filter, a fan, and a main air outlet;the filter has a clean side and an unclean side; an unclean air chamber is formed between the air inlet and the unclean side of the filter;a first air chamber is formed between the clean side of the filter and the fan;an air outlet chamber is formed between the fan and the main air outlet, whereinthe upstream end of the air outlet chamber is connected to the first air outlet chamber;when the vacuum cleaner is in a suction mode, an airflow enters the vacuum cleaner from an external environment via the air inlet under the action of the fan, and sequentially passes through the unclean air chamber, the filter, the first air chamber and the air outlet chamber, and then is discharged via the main air outlet to the external environment which communicates with the main air outlet;the vacuum cleaner includes a self-cleaning air passage and an air supply air passage, whereinthe upstream end of the self-cleaning air passage is communicated to the air outlet chamber, and the downstream end of the self-cleaning air passage is communicated to the clean side of the filter;the upstream end of the air supply air passage is in directly airflow communication with the external environment, and the downstream end of the air supply air passage is in airflow communication with the first air chamber.