Removable Exhaust Filter Around Diffusion Nozzle for Vacuum Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable vacuum cleaners generate significant noise during operation, making their use unpleasant.

Innovation Solution

A portable vacuum cleaner design featuring a cylindrical filter and air diffusion nozzle configuration that forms a sound insulation wall around the nozzle, significantly reducing noise through acoustic attenuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a conventional air exhaust circuit is used, then the structure is simple, but the noise generated is significant

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is designed as a cylindrical cartridge that laterally envelops the air diffusion nozzle, creating a nested configuration where the filter housing contains the nozzle. This nesting arrangement allows the filter structure to serve dual purposes: filtration and acoustic insulation, thereby reducing noise without significantly increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter acts as an intermediary element between the air diffusion nozzle and the external environment. By positioning the filter laterally around the nozzle, it serves as a mediating structure that attenuates acoustic energy from the motor while allowing filtered air to pass through, thus reducing noise transmission to the exterior

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the filter laterally envelops the air diffusion nozzle, then noise is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidfilter configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides air filtration through its filtering surface and acts as an acoustic insulation barrier by laterally enveloping the air diffusion nozzle. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address both filtration and noise reduction requirements, reducing the need for additional separate acoustic treatment elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter is configured as a cylindrical cartridge with a lateral surface that can flexibly envelop the air diffusion nozzle. This shell-like structure provides acoustic attenuation through its material properties and geometric configuration, creating a sound insulation wall that adapts to the nozzle shape while maintaining filtration capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 configuration substantially reduces noise levels, enhancing the user experience by making the vacuum cleaner quieter and more pleasant to use.

Implementation Method 1

the filter having the shape of a cylindrical cartridge and laterally enveloping the air diffusion nozzle. Such a configuration of the air diffusion nozzle and of the filter ensures diffusion of the flow of air leaving the suction motor towards a generally cylindrical internal surface of the filter which then forms a sound insulation wall extending around the air diffusion nozzle.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic attenuation: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

the air exhaust circuit being equipped with a filter which is removable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3718452B1Portable vacuum cleaner provided with a removable filter
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 SEB SA
  • EP3718452B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3718452B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3718452B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The handheld vacuum cleaner (2) includes a suction duct (18), a waste separation device (5), and a housing (3) containing a suction motor (6) configured to generate an airflow through the suction duct (18) and the waste separation device (5). The housing (3) includes an air exhaust circuit (19) through which the airflow generated by the suction motor (6) is discharged to the outside of the housing (3). The air exhaust circuit (19) is equipped with a removable filter (26). The air exhaust circuit (19) has an air diffusion nozzle (21), and the filter (26) is cylindrical in shape and laterally surrounds the air diffusion nozzle (21).