Axial Fan Vacuum Cleaner With Automatic Filter Backflow Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaners require manual or complex automatic filter cleaning, leading to inefficiencies, increased costs, and unsanitary conditions due to the need for frequent filter maintenance and potential clogging, which reduces suction power over time.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner with an axial fan and dust chamber where the air flow direction through the filter is automatically reversed after each suction operation using control electronics, allowing for fully automatic and hygienic filter cleaning without additional components, enabling the use of smaller filters and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual filter cleaning is implemented, then the filter can be cleaned, but the user must actively operate the cleaning mechanism which increases operational complexity and may lead to irregular cleaning intervals
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum cleaner automatically cleans its own filter by reversing the fan rotation direction after each suction operation. The control unit detects when suction has completed and automatically initiates reverse rotation to blow accumulated dust off the filter, eliminating the need for manual user intervention while maintaining simple device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The filter cleaning is performed periodically after each suction operation through controlled reverse rotation of the fan. This periodic automatic cleaning ensures consistent maintenance intervals without requiring user memory or manual operation, solving both the ease of operation and device complexity contradictions
2Extent of automation
If a mechanism for automatic filter cleaning is added, then filter cleaning is automated, but additional components increase device complexity and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The existing fan is made multi-functional by enabling it to operate in reverse direction. The same fan that performs suction also performs filter cleaning when rotated in reverse, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms or additional components. This achieves full automation while maintaining simple device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The fan's rotation direction parameter is changed from unidirectional to bidirectional operation. By controlling the fan to rotate in reverse after suction operations, the system achieves automatic filter cleaning using the existing fan motor, avoiding additional components and reducing device complexity while maximizing automation
3Productivity
If the fan rotates in reverse immediately after suction, then filter cleaning is efficient, but the fan must come to a complete stop first which increases time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is programmed to automatically initiate reverse rotation after a predetermined time interval following suction completion. This predetermined timing allows the fan to naturally decelerate from suction speed without requiring a complete stop, then smoothly transitions to reverse rotation for immediate filter cleaning, minimizing time loss while maintaining cleaning efficiency
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 provides cost-neutral, fully automatic filter cleaning after each use, maintaining suction power and preventing filter clogging, allowing for efficient and hygienic operation with reduced maintenance needs and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a suction fan (12) designed as an axial fan... a direction of an air flow (22) caused by the suction fan (12) through the filter (28) can be reversed by reversing the direction of rotation of the suction fan (12)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The vacuum cleaner (10) has a suction device fan (12) designed as an axial fan, and a filter (28) i.e. fine particle filter, arranged in a dust area (26), where direction of air flow (22) produced by the fan is reversible by the filter during rotation direction reversal of the fan. A control electronic system (36) is provided for automatically reversing the direction of the air flow through the filter during a suction process. The device fan is driven by a motor (14) i.e. brushless permanent magnet motor, where the electronic system is provided with a microprocessor. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a vacuum cleaner.