Vacuum filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional on-board vehicle vacuum cleaners face challenges in maximizing filtration capacity while minimizing occupied space within the debris canister, leading to inconvenient designs that do not efficiently utilize the available space for debris collection.
Innovation Solution
A compact filter cartridge with a combination of pleated and non-pleated filter media portions is designed to fit snugly against the interior wall of the debris canister, maximizing filtration capacity and minimizing space usage, featuring a pleated portion for primary airflow and a non-pleated portion for reduced thickness and area, allowing for a more efficient and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a pleated cylindrical filter is used, then filtration capacity is improved, but occupied space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter media is configured to extend along the peripheral side wall of the debris canister in a substantially planar arrangement rather than a cylindrical volume, utilizing the wall surface area to maximize filtration capacity while minimizing space occupation within the canister interior
Solution Approach 2:
The filter media includes a curved portion that conforms to the corner configuration of the debris canister, allowing the filter to fit efficiently into corner spaces and maximize utilization of available interior space while maintaining high filtration surface area
2Volume of stationary object
If a flat screen covering is used, then occupied space is minimized, but filtration lifespan deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The filter media utilizes a pleated configuration that increases the surface area by a factor of 5 to 10 times compared to a flat screen of the same footprint, providing extended filtration lifespan while maintaining a compact form factor that fits within the debris canister space constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The filter media is arranged to extend along the peripheral side wall in a substantially planar configuration rather than occupying cylindrical volume, maximizing the use of wall surface area to achieve high filtration capacity without increasing occupied space within the canister
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 compact filter cartridge effectively increases filtration surface area within the limited space of the debris canister, enhancing the vacuum cleaner's filtration efficiency and storage capacity, while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for vehicle interiors.
Implementation Method 1
The filter media may include a pleated portion and a non-pleated portion. The pleated portion may provide a large surface area for filtration
Implementation Method 2
A vacuum module may be configured to draw a vacuum. The collector module may be configured to collect debris from air drawn by the vacuum module
Data Source
AI summary
A debris canister and filter assembly, which may be used in a vehicular vacuum cleaner, includes a debris canister having an inlet, an outlet, and a peripheral side wall. The peripheral side wall at least partially defines an interior space of the debris canister. A filter is disposed in the interior space of the debris canister, and includes filter media having a non-pleated portion and a pleated portion. The peripheral side wall forms a corner of the debris canister, and the filter media has a rounded-corner shaped to fit adjacent to the corner of the peripheral side wall.