A vacuum cleaner
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum cleaners generate significant noise due to acoustic energy transmission from the motor assembly to the dust collector and outside environment, which is not effectively mitigated by existing designs.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner design featuring a sound reflective surface upstream of the dust collector opening, combined with a sound absorbing material and a parabolic solid wall portion that reflects sound waves back towards the motor assembly, reducing noise transmission through the dust collector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the motor assembly is positioned with direct acoustic path to the dust compartment, then the motor assembly can efficiently drive air flow, but acoustic energy is transmitted directly from the motor assembly to the dust compartment and then to the outside as noise
Solution Approach 1:
A parabolic sound reflective structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the motor assembly and the dust compartment. This structure reflects acoustic energy back toward the motor assembly while allowing air flow to pass through the clearance behind it, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of air flow efficiency and noise reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the noise mitigation approach from a linear blocking path to a three-dimensional acoustic management system. The parabolic structure creates a spatial arrangement where sound waves are redirected in specific directions (reflected back to motor) while air flow maintains its path through the clearance, adding dimensional complexity to resolve the contradiction
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a solid wall is placed to block sound transmission from motor assembly to dust compartment, then noise transmission is reduced, but air flow from the dust compartment to the motor assembly is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The space between the motor assembly and dust compartment is segmented into two functional zones: a clearance region for air flow passage and a parabolic reflective surface region for acoustic management. This segmentation allows air flow and sound waves to be managed separately in different spatial segments
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the structure are assigned different local qualities: the clearance region provides acoustic transparency and airflow passage, while the parabolic surface provides sound reflection. This local differentiation allows the structure to simultaneously permit air flow and block noise transmission
3Object-generated harmful factors
If acoustic energy is reflected back towards the motor assembly, then noise transmission to outside is reduced, but the reflected sound waves may interfere with motor assembly operation
Solution Approach 1:
The reflected acoustic energy, which could potentially interfere with motor operation, is converted into a beneficial containment effect. By directing sound waves back into the motor assembly housing, the structure effectively contains acoustic energy within a controlled space, preventing its escape to the outside environment while the housing itself absorbs and dissipates the reflected energy
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 significantly reduces noise emission by reflecting a large amount of acoustic energy from the motor assembly back into the vacuum cleaner, minimizing noise transmission to the outside environment.
Implementation Method 1
a structure provided upstream of the opening and comprising a substantially solid wall portion providing a sound reflective surface for reflecting sound waves from the motor assembly
Implementation Method 2
The vacuum cleaner may comprise a sound absorbing material between the solid wall portion and the fan
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner (1) comprising: a dust collector housing (13) forming a compartment (14) for collecting dust transported by an air flow generated by a motor assembly (16) located externally of the compartment; an opening (25) in a wall (13a) of the housing for allowing air to flow out of the compartment (14) towards a fan (19) of the motor assembly; and a structure (28, 48, 58) provided upstream of the opening and comprising a solid wall portion (28a, 48a, 58a) providing a sound reflective surface for reflecting sound waves from the motor assembly, the structure (28, 48, 58) being arranged such that a clearance (30) is formed between at least a region of the wall (13a) around the opening and the structure (28, 48, 58) to allow air from upstream of the structure to enter the opening via the clearance (30). A sound absorbing material (29) may be located between the solid wall portion (28a, 48a, 58a) and the fan (19).