Cleaning device with flow deflecting element with built-in wall and use of a flow deflecting element with built-in wall

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning devices face challenges in achieving high flow efficiency while effectively attenuating noise, particularly in the frequency range below 2000 Hz, due to the design of flow deflection elements that do not adequately manage sound propagation and turbulence.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a flow-guiding and sound-permeable installation wall within the flow deflection element, which covers the edge at the transition area between pipe arms, guides airflow away from the edge and allows sound transmission, thereby reducing noise while maintaining high flow efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a flow deflection element with a sharp edge at the transition area is used, then sound attenuation is improved, but flow efficiency deteriorates due to turbulence and pressure loss

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidflow efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

An installation wall is introduced as an intermediary element between the first and second pipe arms. This wall covers the edge in the interior space and guides the flow, preventing direct contact with the edge while still allowing sound to pass through via sound-permeable material or openings, thus resolving the conflict between noise reduction and flow efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The installation wall is designed with different local properties: it is flow-guiding on the flow-facing side to maintain efficiency, while being sound-permeable (through material selection or openings) on the sound transmission side to maintain noise attenuation. This local differentiation of properties allows simultaneous achievement of both goals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the installation wall is designed to be flow-guiding, then flow efficiency is improved, but sound attenuation may deteriorate if the wall blocks sound transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow efficiencyVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The installation wall is made from sound-permeable material or includes openings that allow sound waves to pass through while the overall structure maintains its flow-guiding function. This porosity or permeability enables sound transmission without compromising the flow guidance capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

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 design achieves effective noise reduction with minimal turbulence and pressure loss, ensuring high flow efficiency and broad sound attenuation across a range of frequencies.

Implementation Method 1

The collision of the first and second pipe arms with the edge at the outer corner area results in effective noise reduction through corresponding sound damping.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

the installation wall is designed to be flow-guiding... Due to the flow-guiding function of the mounting wall, high flow efficiency is achieved, as the fluid flow, which is guided by the at least one flow deflector element, can bypass the edge.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow guidance:

Implementation Method 3

the installation wall is designed to be flow-guiding and sound-permeable... By providing a sound-permeable mounting wall, the effective noise reduction achieved through the edge design is maintained.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound permeability: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP4422466B1Cleaning device with flow deflecting element with built-in wall and use of a flow deflecting element with built-in wall
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP4422466B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4422466B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4422466B1 patent drawingFigure 4(1)~4(3)

AI summary

Provided is a cleaning device comprising at least one noise source and an air conducting unit having at least one flow deflection element (10), the at least one flow deflection element (10) having a first pipe arm (16) and a second pipe arm (18), the second pipe arm (18) extending transversely to the first pipe arm (16), the first pipe arm (16) and the second pipe arm (18) having a common edge (48) in an outer corner region (44), characterized in that a built-in wall (52) is arranged in an interior (14) of the at least one flow deflection element (10), said built-in wall (52) covering the edge (48) in the interior (14), in that the built-in wall (52) faces a flow-through zone (128) in the interior (14), and in that the built-in wall (52) is designed to be flow-conducting and sound-permeable.