Central vacuum system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vacuum systems face issues such as loud indoor noise, high energy consumption, and dust re-entrainment in household cleaners, while central systems are bulky and inconvenient for cleaning due to their long, heavy hoses.
Innovation Solution
A central vacuum system design featuring a fixed and movable vacuum device connected by a hose with a self-operated differential pressure regulating valve and pressure sensors, allowing for controlled airflow and reduced resistance to maintain positive or slightly negative pressure, thereby reducing noise, energy consumption, and hose weight, while preventing dust re-entrainment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a household vacuum cleaner is used, then the power consumption is low and the weight is light, but the indoor noise is loud and dust re-entrainment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum system is divided into two separate units: a fixed vacuum generator unit containing the motor and filter, and a movable handheld unit with suction port. This segmentation allows the noisy motor to be isolated from the indoor environment while maintaining low power consumption and light weight in the handheld portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor and filter components that generate noise are extracted from the handheld vacuum cleaner and placed in a separate fixed unit. This extraction eliminates the source of indoor noise while the handheld unit retains only the essential suction components for effective dust collection.
2Area of stationary object
If a central vacuum system is used, then the filtering area is large and indoor noise is low, but the hose is bulky and heavy making it difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the bulky filter housing into a fixed unit, allowing the hose to be much lighter and more flexible. The filtering area is maintained in the fixed unit while the movable portion becomes lightweight and easy to maneuver for cleaning various areas.
3Area of stationary object
If a central vacuum system is used, then the filtering area is large, but the hose is long and heavy causing storage inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the vacuum system into fixed and movable units connected by a flexible hose, the bulky filter housing remains fixed while the hose can be easily stored by coiling or hanging, significantly improving storage convenience compared to traditional central vacuum systems.
4Productivity
If the hose pressure is made negative to ensure dust collection, then dust collection effectiveness is improved, but dust re-entrainment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a pressure sensor to detect the pressure in the hose and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the motor speed to maintain pressure within a predetermined range, ensuring effective dust collection while preventing dust re-entrainment by avoiding excessive negative pressure.
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 system achieves lower indoor noise, reduced energy consumption, and improved ease of use and storage, with the hose being lightweight and easy to move, while maintaining effective dust collection and avoiding dust re-entrainment.
Implementation Method 1
the end of the hose comprises the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor and the motor of the first vacuum device are connected to a controller. The controller is capable of controlling a rotate speed of the motor of the first vacuum device.
Implementation Method 2
the end of the hose comprises a self-operated differential pressure regulating valve. The self-operated differential pressure regulating valve is capable of generating corresponding air resistance under different airflow rates.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a central vacuum system. The central vacuum system comprises a first vacuum device, a second vacuum device, and a hose connected between the first vacuum device and the second vacuum device; the first vacuum device and the second vacuum are controlled by a linked switch, interior of the hose remains positive or slightly negative pressure. A self-operated differential pressure regulating valve arranged at the end of the hose is capable of generating corresponding air resistance under different airflow rate so as to maintain the interior pressure of the hose at a stable slightly positive or negative pressure.