Vacuum Filter Frame Vibration Cleaning Without Media Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-holdable vacuum cleaners face efficiency issues due to filter blockages from dust and dirt, which are typically addressed through mechanical rubbing, leading to wear and tear on the filter material.
Innovation Solution
A filter cleaning mechanism that uses a frame to deform and rapidly release, causing the filter material to shake without direct mechanical impact, allowing for effective dust and dirt removal without wear, and can be used with both pleated and unpleated filters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical rubbing is used to clean the filter material, then dust and dirt particles are dislodged from the filter, but the filter material suffers wear and tear which shortens its lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is deformed within its elastic limit and then rapidly released, causing the frame to vibrate and shake the filter material. This vibration dislodges dust and dirt particles from the filter without requiring direct mechanical rubbing or contact with the filter surface, thereby maintaining cleaning effectiveness while preserving filter material integrity and extending its lifespan.
2Productivity
If the filter material is pleated to provide surface irregularities for vibration, then dust dislodging is improved, but the device complexity increases and it cannot be used with unpleated filters
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration is generated through the frame's deformation and rapid release, which transmits mechanical energy to the entire filter material regardless of its surface topology. This approach works effectively with both pleated and unpleated filter materials, providing universal applicability and maintaining adaptability across different filter types while still achieving effective dust dislodging.
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 method enhances cleaning efficiency by dislodging more dust and dirt without damaging the filter, maintaining its lifespan and allowing for easy operation without additional power sources.
Implementation Method 1
means for deforming the frame within its elastic limit and means for rapidly releasing the frame from said deformation to cause said frame to relax to an undeformed state
Implementation Method 2
the deformation of the frame by the means for deforming it is transmitted to the filter material which is supported by the frame and the rapid release of the frame by the means for releasing it causes the filter material to be shaken
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, the present invention provides a filter cleaning mechanism comprising: a filter material (37) for filtering out dust and dirt particles from air passing therethrough; a frame (32, 34, 35, 38, 39) for supporting said filter material (37); devices (31, 296; 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) for mechanically agitating said filter material to dislodge dust and dirt particles therefrom; wherein the devices for mechanically agitating said filter material comprises elements (31, 296; 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) for deforming said frame within its elastic limit and elements (31, 296; 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) for rapidly releasing said frame from said deformation to cause said frame to relax to an undeformed state. The present invention also provides a hand-holdable vacuum cleaner comprising such a filter cleaning mechanism, as well as a method of cleaning a filter assembly (30) comprising a filter material (37) and a frame (32, 34, 35, 38, 39) for supporting said filter material (37), wherein the method comprises the steps of deforming the frame within its elastic limit and rapidly releasing the frame from said deformation, thereby causing the frame to relax to an undeformed state.