Vacuum Cleaner Filter Cleaning Using Flow Resistance Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaner filter cleaning methods often incorrectly identify filter clogging due to changes in the flow path or suction hose blockages, leading to unnecessary cleaning and potential failure to detect actual filter contamination.
Innovation Solution
The method measures pressure differences across the filter and accounts for the volume flow of suction air, using a characteristic curve to calculate the flow resistance, initiating cleaning only when the flow resistance exceeds a threshold, thereby distinguishing between filter contamination and other flow path influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If filter cleaning is initiated based solely on pressure difference across the filter, then the filter cleaning response is simple and quick, but false positives occur due to flow path changes or suction hose blockages leading to unnecessary cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the monitoring parameter from simple pressure difference to flow resistance, which is calculated by combining pressure difference measurements with volume flow data. This parameter transformation allows the system to distinguish between temporary flow restrictions and actual filter contamination, resolving the contradiction between quick response and accurate detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring both pressure difference and volume flow, calculating flow resistance in real-time, and using this information to make informed decisions about filter cleaning initiation. This feedback mechanism prevents false positives while maintaining responsive cleaning activation.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and calculations are used to determine flow resistance, then filter contamination detection accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs multiple functions: it monitors pressure difference, measures volume flow, calculates flow resistance, and controls filter cleaning activation. By making the control device multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces flow resistance as an intermediary parameter that synthesizes information from pressure sensors and flow measurements. This intermediary variable simplifies the decision-making process for filter cleaning activation while maintaining high measurement precision, as flow resistance serves as a comprehensive indicator of filter condition.
3Reliability
If filter cleaning is performed frequently to ensure clean filter operation, then filter performance is maintained, but energy consumption increases and unnecessary cleaning operations occur
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of performing continuous or frequent filter cleaning, the system applies partial action by initiating cleaning only when the calculated flow resistance exceeds a predetermined threshold. This approach maintains sufficient filter performance while avoiding excessive cleaning operations that would waste energy and reduce system productivity.
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 approach ensures necessary and accurate filter cleaning, reducing unnecessary operations and allowing for effective monitoring of filter condition, including detection of when replacement is needed.
Implementation Method 1
a first pressure sensor, which determines a first pressure in an inflow of the filter device, a second pressure sensor, which determines a second pressure in an outflow of the filter device
Implementation Method 2
suction air generated by a fan flowing through the filter during operation of the vacuum cleaning device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for cleaning a filter (22) of a dust suction device. Suction air flows through the filter (22) during the operation of the dust suction device, said suction air being generated by a fan (28). The method has the following steps: measuring a first pressure (p1) at an inflow of the filter (22); measuring a second pressure (p2) at an outflow of the filter (22); ascertaining a pressure drop (Δρ) at the filter (22) as a pressure difference between the first pressure (p1) and the second pressure (p2); ascertaining a variable (Q) which characterizes a volumetric flow rate of the suction air in the outflow of the filter (22); ascertaining a variable (cw) which characterizes a flow resistance of the filter (22) from the pressure difference (Δρ) and the variable (Q) which characterizes the volumetric flow rate; and initiating a filter cleaning process depending on the ascertained variable (cw) characterizing the flow resistance of the filter.