Vacuum cleaner with improved air flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vacuum cleaners, as the dust collecting container fills up and expands, it blocks the air flow through the dust compartment, impairing the suction performance due to the existing design limitations, such as the use of flow guide ribs which do not effectively address the issue of dust bag expansion against the compartment walls.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of punctiform protruding elements on the walls of the dust compartment, arranged in specific configurations to prevent the dust bag from expanding against the walls, combined with an improved filter holder design featuring edge portions with significant openings and grooves to enhance air flow, allowing unobstructed passage of air through the compartment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If the dust collecting container is allowed to expand freely to increase dust storage capacity, then the dust storage volume increases, but the air flow through the dust compartment deteriorates due to blocking of air paths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust storage volumeVSAvoidair flow through dust compartment
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating protruding elements at specific locations on the dust compartment walls where the dust bag tends to expand and block air paths. These localized protrusions prevent bag-wall contact in critical areas while allowing the bag to expand freely in other regions, thus maintaining both storage capacity and air flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the dust compartment wall surface by adding discrete protruding elements rather than using a continuous barrier. This segmentation allows the dust bag to expand into the spaces between protrusions while the protrusions themselves maintain clearance from the bag surface, preserving air flow paths without significantly reducing storage volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If flow guide ribs are added to guide air flow through the dust compartment, then air flow is improved, but the problem of dust bag expansion blocking air flow along side walls remains

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow through dust compartmentVSAvoiddust compartment structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding complex flow guide ribs that extend along the walls, the patent inverts the approach by adding protrusions that push the bag away from the walls. This inversion simplifies the structure while achieving the same air flow improvement by preventing bag contact with the wall surface in the first place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If the dust compartment walls are kept smooth and flat to simplify manufacturing, then manufacturing ease is maintained, but the dust bag expands against the walls blocking air paths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust compartment manufacturingVSAvoidair flow through dust compartment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains smooth flat walls for most of the dust compartment to preserve ease of manufacture, but introduces localized protruding elements only in areas where air flow blocking occurs. This selective modification minimizes additional manufacturing complexity while effectively preventing bag-wall contact in critical zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3515272B1Vacuum cleaner with improved air flow
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 AB ELECTROLUX
  • EP3515272B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3515272B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3515272B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner (10) and a filter holder (26) of a vacuum cleaner. In an aspect of the invention, a vacuum cleaner (10) is provided comprising a housing (11) and a dust compartment (12) in the housing arranged for accommodating a dust collecting container, the dust compartment (12) being arranged with an air inlet (21) and an air outlet (22) for causing an air flow through the dust compartment (12), the dust compartment comprising a plurality of punctiform protruding elements (13) arranged on at least one wall (15) enclosing the dust compartment (12).