Self-Cleaning Vacuum Filter Valve for Continuous Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaners face inefficiencies in filter cleaning, as the current methods either disrupt suction operation or require manual intervention, limiting the effectiveness and continuity of the cleaning process.
Innovation Solution
The vacuum cleaner employs an electromagnet with an electrical switching unit to control a closing valve, creating a pressure surge by abruptly introducing external air to the filter, allowing for counterflow cleaning without interrupting suction, using a spring-elastic restoring device and energy-absorbing components to manage the valve's movement and magnetic field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the closing valve is opened to allow external air to flow through the filter for cleaning, then the filter cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the suction operation is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The closing valve is opened periodically for brief intervals (e.g., 0.1-2 seconds) to allow external air to flush through the filter, while remaining closed during most of the operation to maintain suction. This periodic opening-closing action enables continuous filter cleaning without permanently interrupting suction operation.
Solution Approach 2:
External air is supplied to the filter before the filter becomes completely clogged, performing cleaning action in advance. The control unit monitors filter status and triggers external air supply proactively to prevent complete blockage, maintaining suction capacity.
2Reliability
If external air is supplied abruptly to create a pressure surge for effective filter cleaning, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the valve body movement control becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnet replaces complex mechanical valve actuation mechanisms with an electromagnetic field to control the closing valve. By controlling the excitation current to the electromagnet, the valve body can be precisely positioned to create abrupt pressure surges without complex mechanical linkages or actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body is designed to move dynamically between closed and open positions based on electromagnetic force balance. The spring-elastic restoring device and electromagnet work together to create rapid, controlled movement that generates pressure surges for effective cleaning while simplifying the control system.
3Reliability
If the excitation current is switched off for a longer duration to ensure complete valve opening, then the filter cleaning is more thorough, but the suction operation is interrupted for longer periods
Solution Approach 1:
The closing valve is opened partially or for brief excessive intervals just sufficient to flush external air through the filter media. This partial opening action provides adequate cleaning without requiring complete or prolonged valve opening, minimizing suction interruption while achieving cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
External air pressure is used as the driving force to flush through the filter media during brief valve opening intervals. The pneumatic action of external air supply provides the cleaning effect rapidly, allowing short valve opening durations that minimize suction interruption while maintaining cleaning thoroughness.
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 enables effective and continuous filter cleaning with minimal disruption to suction operation, ensuring a high suction capacity and efficient dirt separation during normal operation by adapting the switch-off time of the excitation current to the valve's movement, allowing for quasi-continuous suction and thorough filter cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
the electromagnet (50) is connected to an electrical switching unit (74) for switching the excitation current on and off
Implementation Method 2
in the closed position is additionally acted upon by a magnet holder with a magnetic holding force
Implementation Method 3
being supported by a spring-elastic restoring device a closing force
Implementation Method 4
When the closing valve is closed, a negative pressure forms inside the dirt collection container and the suction line, whereas there is higher pressure on the side of the valve body facing away from the suction line
Implementation Method 5
The external air then flows through the filter in the countercurrent direction, ie counter to the direction of the suction flow that prevails during normal suction operation, so that dirt particles adhering to the filter are detached
Implementation Method 6
Such vacuum cleaners can be used to suck up dirt and preferably also liquid by subjecting the dirt collection container to negative pressure with the aid of at least one suction unit, so that a suction flow is formed
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner having a dirt collection container which has a suction inlet and is flow-connected to at least one suction unit via at least one filter and at least one suction extraction line, and having at least one external air inlet which issues into the suction extraction line downstream of the filter and can be closed by means of at least one closing valve, wherein the closing valve has a moveable valve body which is acted on by a spring-elastic return device with a closing force and, in the closed position, additionally by a magnetic holding means with a magnetic holding force. In order to develop the vacuum cleaner in such a way that it permits particularly effective cleaning of the filter, the invention proposes that the magnetic holding means has a solenoid which can be acted on by a field current in order to close the closing valve, and that the valve body can be continuously moved from the closed position, via the open position, back to the closed position in the event of the field current being interrupted, wherein the switch-off time of the field current is matched to the movement time of the valve body.