Vacuum Drawer Filter Integration to Reduce Maintenance and Leak Risk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pumps in household appliances require regular maintenance, such as oil changes, which is impractical for consumer use and can lead to contamination and leaks.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a filter element within the valve block of the vacuum drawer to prevent contamination and reduce the need for additional components and connecting lines, with the filter being accessible for easy maintenance and equipped with a pressure sensor to detect clogging and generate service signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pump is used, then effective vacuum generation is achieved, but regular maintenance (oil changes) is required which is impractical for household appliances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful function (oil contamination and maintenance requirements) from the vacuum pump system by introducing a separate filter element that captures contaminants before they reach the pump oil, allowing the pump to operate without regular maintenance in household applications
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element acts as an intermediary component between the vacuum chamber and the vacuum pump, capturing food particles and contaminants in the suction line before they can contaminate the pump oil, thereby protecting the pump from maintenance requirements
2Reliability
If additional components and connecting lines are added to the vacuum system, then filtering functionality is improved, but the risk of leaks and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is integrated directly into the existing valve block structure, combining the filtering function with the existing control component. This merging approach provides effective filtering while avoiding the need for separate filter housings and additional connecting lines that would increase leak risks
3Device complexity
If the filter element is integrated into the valve block, then the number of components is reduced, but access for maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The valve block is designed with a separable structure where the filter element can be accessed and removed independently from the main valve block body. This segmentation allows the filter to be integrated into the compact valve block structure while maintaining ease of access for user maintenance through the vacuum chamber interior
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 maintenance-free operation of vacuum drawers by filtering contaminants, reducing the risk of leaks, and allowing consumers to perform filter cleaning or replacement without specialist help, ensuring continuous effective vacuum operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one filter element is integrated in the existing valve block, the integrated filter element enabling cleaning or filtering of the volume drawn in from the vacuum chamber by the vacuum pump
Implementation Method 2
The container filled with the food is placed in the vacuum chamber, which is then sealed airtight with a lid in order to create a chamber vacuum using a vacuum pump
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a vacuum drawer for vacuuming food with a closable vacuum chamber and at least one vacuum pump whose suction line is connected to the vacuum chamber via at least one valve block, the at least one valve block comprising at least one integrated filter element for filtering the suction line.