Vacuum Cleaner Filter Sealing With Pinched Lateral Seal Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum cleaners with removable filters face challenges in achieving a consistent seal due to variable compressive force application, leading to leakage or damage to the filter and internal components.
Innovation Solution
A filter design with lateral seal portions that are compressed between adjacent surfaces, focusing the sealing force on specific areas rather than the entire filter body, ensuring a consistent seal without compressing the filter element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compressive force is applied to the entire filter body to seal the filter, then sealing force is provided, but the filter element may be crushed or threads may be stripped causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into distinct functional zones: a sealing portion with compressed material for creating the seal, and a support portion with structural ribs for mechanical strength. This segmentation allows the sealing force to be concentrated on the sealing portion without compromising the overall filter structure, as the support portion independently bears mechanical loads.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the filter are given different properties: the sealing portion uses compressed, flexible material for sealing, while the support portion uses rigid, ribbed material for structural integrity. This local differentiation allows the filter to provide both effective sealing and resistance to crushing forces at different locations.
2Reliability
If compressive force is applied to seal the filter, then sealing is achieved, but it is difficult to determine how much force to apply to avoid damage
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is pre-formed with a sealing portion that has already been compressed to an optimal density during manufacturing. This preliminary compression eliminates the need for users to determine the correct compression force during installation—they simply need to insert the filter and engage the mounting flange, which provides consistent sealing without risk of over-compression damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressed sealing portion is designed to self-seal when the mounting flange is engaged, without requiring the user to apply variable compressive force. The pre-compressed material automatically creates the seal upon engagement, making the installation process straightforward and eliminating the need for force estimation by the operator.
3Reliability
If the filter is compressed to seal, then sealing force is provided, but the compressive force can vary without notice depending on moisture exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism uses the physical property of compressed material that responds predictably to moisture exposure. The pre-compressed sealing portion maintains its sealing effectiveness even when exposed to moisture, as the compression is locked in during manufacturing and does not vary with environmental conditions. This eliminates the variability problem while keeping the mechanism simple.
4Reliability
If the filter element is compressed to seal, then sealing is achieved, but the filter element may be damaged requiring repair or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is segmented into a replaceable support portion and a sealing portion that is integrated into the mounting flange mechanism. When the filter element becomes damaged, the entire filter assembly can be quickly replaced by simply detaching the mounting flange, without requiring complex repair procedures. The segmented design facilitates easy maintenance while ensuring effective sealing during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a filter for mounting in a vacuum cleaner, such as a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, having a seal at generally each end, and a corresponding mounting structure that focuses compressive sealing forces on specific seal components rather than the filter body as a whole. The sealing is directed primarily to portions of the seals on the filter ends that are compressed or “pinched” between adjacent surfaces. The concentrated compressive stress provides a well-defined region to consistently provide a sealing engagement. The compressive force can thereby remain relatively constant through multiple uses of the filter.