Vacuum Cleaner Filter Cleaning With Pulsed External Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaners do not effectively clean filters during normal suction operation and after the suction unit is switched off, as they rely on pressure differences and magnetic holders to open and close valves, leading to incomplete or inefficient filter cleaning.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a closing valve with a spring-loaded mechanism and an electromagnet to control airflow through the filter, allowing external air to clean the filter after the suction unit is switched off, and utilizing a resilient stop element for rapid and repeated valve movements to enhance cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closing valve with magnetic holder and spring is used to control airflow for filter cleaning, then the filter can be cleaned by external air, but the valve remains closed during normal suction operation, preventing continuous cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The closing valve is designed to open periodically during suction operation at predetermined time intervals, allowing external air to clean the filter in periodic pulses while maintaining continuous suction. This periodic opening action enables the filter to be cleaned repeatedly without stopping the vacuum cleaner, transforming a single cleaning event into continuous periodic cleaning.
2Reliability
If the closing valve opens to allow external air for filter cleaning, then the filter is cleaned, but suction operation is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into a first portion and a second portion that can move relative to each other. The first portion has a first opening for external air to enter and clean the filter, while the second portion maintains the suction flow path. This segmentation allows external air to be introduced through a separate path without interrupting the main suction operation, enabling simultaneous cleaning and suction.
Solution Approach 2:
A bridge structure connects the first opening and second opening, allowing air to flow from the suction inlet through the bridge to the suction outlet. This intermediary bridge enables the external air used for cleaning to be channeled through a dedicated path that does not interfere with the primary suction flow, maintaining suction continuity during filter cleaning.
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 enables effective and continuous filter cleaning during and after suction operation, ensuring filters are cleaned within fractions of a second without interrupting suction, resulting in a more efficient and structurally simple cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one closing valve has a valve body which is movable back and forth between a closed position, in which it lies against a valve seat, and an open position, in which it is at a distance from the valve seat, wherein it is acted upon by a closing spring with a closing force and, in the closed position, additionally by a magnetic holder with a magnetic holding force
Implementation Method 2
wherein it is acted upon by a closing spring with a closing force
Implementation Method 3
the side of the at least one filter that is oriented away from the dirt collecting container is impinged upon by external air
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for cleaning filters of a vacuum cleaner having a dirt collecting container, which has a suction inlet and is in flow connection with at least one suction unit via at least one filter and at least one suction extraction line, and at least one external air inlet which opens into the suction extraction line downstream of the filter and can be closed by means of a closing valve. The closing valve has a movable valve body acted upon by a closing spring with a closing force and, in the closed position, additionally by a magnetic holder with a magnetic holding force. In order to clean the filter, at least one closing valve is opened and the side of the filter oriented away from the dirt collecting container is impinged upon by external air. A vacuum cleaner for carrying out the method is also provided.