Vacuum Debris Chamber Inlet Closure Using a Movable Air Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning devices, such as bag vacuums and cyclonic vacuum cleaners, face issues with dust and debris spillage when removing and replacing bags or emptying debris collection chambers, and there is a need for a solution that prevents debris release during transport and disposal.
Innovation Solution
A debris collection chamber with a movable air filter that covers and uncovers the inlet opening in response to negative pressure, allowing debris-entrained air to enter when the vacuum is on and automatically closing when off, preventing debris egress, and can be disposable or reusable with minimal user contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the air filter is made movable to automatically cover and uncovers the inlet opening, then debris spillage is prevented during transport and disposal, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air filter is designed as a movable component that dynamically transitions between covering and uncovering the inlet opening based on operational status. The filter moves from a first position covering the inlet opening during transport/disposal to a second position uncovering it during operation, automatically adapting to different states without user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vacuum cleaner's own operational state (negative pressure during operation) to automatically control the air filter position. When the vacuum cleaner operates and creates negative pressure, this pressure differential automatically moves the air filter to the uncovered position; when off, the filter returns to the covering position, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the air filter automatically moves in response to negative pressure, then user contact with debris is minimized, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air filter positioning system is self-actuating through the vacuum cleaner's operational negative pressure. During operation, the negative pressure automatically moves the filter to the correct position without user intervention. During transport or disposal when the vacuum is off, the filter automatically returns to the covering position, minimizing user exposure to debris without requiring complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes pneumatic pressure differentials created during vacuum operation to drive the air filter movement. The negative pressure generated by the running vacuum cleaner creates a pressure differential that automatically positions the filter during operation, while atmospheric pressure returns it to the covering position when off, eliminating the need for motors or complex actuation mechanisms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the collection chamber wall moves in response to negative pressure, then debris egress is prevented, but the structural strength requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collection chamber wall is designed to dynamically move in response to negative pressure during operation. When the vacuum cleaner operates, the negative pressure causes the wall to move to a second position that opens the flow path. When the vacuum is off, the wall returns to a first position that closes the inlet opening, preventing debris egress during transport or disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable wall is actuated by the pneumatic pressure differential created during vacuum operation. The negative pressure generated by the running vacuum cleaner provides the force to move the wall to the open position, while atmospheric pressure returns it to the closed position when the vacuum is off, eliminating the need for separate actuators while maintaining structural integrity.
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 solution effectively limits debris spillage and allows for easy disposal of the cleaning head without user contact, enhancing user safety and convenience by automatically managing the debris collection process.
Implementation Method 1
an air filter configured to allow air to pass through the air filter while inhibiting debris from passing through the air filter
Implementation Method 2
when negative pressure is applied to the air filter to draw air through the chamber inlet opening, the air filter moves the cover to the second position
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and method for receiving and holding debris in a collection chamber of a vacuum cleaner. The collection chamber has an inlet opening through which debris-entrained air enters the collection chamber. When the vacuum cleaner is off, the cover prevents debris from leaving the collection chamber through the inlet opening. The wall of the collection chamber moves when negative pressure is applied to the collection chamber, and the wall movement moves the cover from the inlet opening, allowing the debris-entrained air to enter the collection chamber. In some embodiments, the moving part of the wall is an air filter.