Air/liquid separation system for an extraction cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air/liquid separation systems in extraction cleaners face challenges in efficiently separating air from a mixture of recovered fluid and debris within tight packaging spaces, leading to inefficiencies and difficulties in fluid management.
Innovation Solution
The air/liquid separation system incorporates a recovery tank assembly with a transversely side-by-side arrangement of inlet and outlet stacks and a lid assembly that includes a float to manage fluid levels and direct the flow, allowing for efficient separation of air from the working air stream while optimizing the use of available space and facilitating easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional air/liquid separation system is used in extraction cleaners, then the system can separate air from recovered fluid and debris, but the packaging space is insufficient and the separation efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The recovery tank assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones: a recovery tank chamber for collecting fluid and debris, a lid chamber for air separation, and stacked inlet/outlet stacks. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function efficiently within a compact overall volume, resolving the contradiction between limited packaging space and effective separation performance
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet and outlet stacks are arranged in a vertical stacked configuration rather than horizontal placement, utilizing the vertical dimension to maximize space utilization. The lid chamber extends vertically above the recovery tank, creating additional separation volume without increasing the horizontal footprint, thus maintaining separation efficiency within tight packaging constraints
2Volume of moving object
If the inlet and outlet stacks are positioned near the center of the recovery tank, then the packaging space is optimized, but the cleaning access becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lid assembly is designed as a removable, separable component from the recovery tank body. This segmentation allows the lid to be detached for easy cleaning of the tank interior, while the stacked inlet/outlet configuration maintains compact packaging. The modular design resolves the contradiction by enabling access without compromising space optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The lid assembly incorporates movable and removable elements that can be opened and detached. This dynamic design allows users to access the tank interior for cleaning when needed, while maintaining the compact stacked configuration during operation, thus balancing packaging efficiency with cleaning accessibility
3Reliability
If the float is positioned to close the first lid chamber opening, then fluid level control is improved, but the air flow path may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow path is extracted and routed through the lid chamber, which is physically separated from the fluid collection chamber. When the float closes the first opening in the lid chamber, it only blocks the direct connection between the chambers, while air can still flow through the dedicated lid chamber outlet path. This extraction of the air flow path resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable fluid level control without restricting air flow
Solution Approach 2:
The lid chamber acts as an intermediary chamber between the recovery tank and the external environment. It provides a separate air flow path that is mediated through the lid assembly, allowing air to be expelled even when the float closes the direct connection. This intermediary structure enables both reliable fluid level control and maintained air flow without increasing overall device complexity
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 configuration enables efficient air separation without excessive splash, promotes predictable fluid flow, and simplifies the cleaning process by allowing the lid assembly to be removed separately from the recovery tank, enhancing the overall performance and usability of the extraction cleaner.
Implementation Method 1
The recovery system utilizes an onboard suction source that recovers the fluid applied by the fluid delivery system along with dirt and debris
Implementation Method 2
A float may be disposed within the tank chamber and may be operatively attached to and vertically translatable relative to the lid assembly to close the first lid chamber opening when liquid in the tank chamber reaches a predetermined level
Implementation Method 3
an air/liquid separation system operable to substantially separate fluid and debris from a working air stream
Data Source
AI summary
An air/liquid separation system for an extraction cleaner has a recovery tank assembly that includes a recovery tank, an inlet stack for receiving the working air stream with extracted liquid and debris entrained therein, an outlet stack for expelling air separated from the working air stream, and a lid assembly. A float is disposed adjacent to a curvilinear exterior side wall of a recovery tank, and the inlet stack and outlet stack are disposed transversely side-by-side in a tank chamber with the outlet stack between the float and the inlet stack. A bottom of the lid assembly defines an open bottom cavity within the tank chamber and above an outlet of the inlet stack. A lower surface of the lid assembly at the open bottom cavity inclines upward and outward from above the outlet of the inlet stack to an outermost side wall of the lid assembly.