Cyclonic Suction Cleaner With Liquid Injection for Wet-Dry Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction cleaners require user adaptation for wet or dry operations, suffer from rapid loss of suction power due to dust accumulation, and lack versatility in handling both liquid and dry materials effectively.

Innovation Solution

A suction cleaner with a cyclonic separator and a liquid delivery system that allows selective introduction of liquid into the airflow for enhanced separation of dry dust and wet materials, enabling both wet and dry cleaning modes with improved suction power and versatility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a dust-filtering bag or filter is used to separate dry matter from the suction airflow, then dry vacuuming is effective, but fine particles of dry dust are not effectively separated and suction power is rapidly lost due to dust accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust separation effectivenessVSAvoidsuction power maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state of the separation medium from dry (filter/bag) to liquid (water). By introducing water into the suction airflow, the system achieves superior separation of fine dry dust particles through liquid attraction, preventing the suction power loss that occurs with traditional dry filters due to dust accumulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Water acts as an intermediary substance between the suction airflow and the separator. The liquid delivery device introduces water into the airflow, which then mediates the separation process by attracting fine dust particles, enabling effective separation without the clogging problems of traditional dry filters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cleaner is adapted for wet mode with a liquid tank and delivery system, then wet cleaning and surface cleaning are enabled, but the cleaner requires user adaptation and configuration changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewet cleaning capabilityVSAvoiduser adaptation requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaner is designed with universal functionality to handle both wet and dry materials effectively. The liquid delivery device and cyclonic separator work together to create a system that can process spilled liquids, fine dry dust, and wetted surfaces without requiring fundamental configuration changes or user adaptation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically manages the liquid delivery and separation processes. The liquid delivery device selectively introduces water into the suction airflow based on operational needs, and the cyclonic separator automatically separates the liquid-matter mixture, reducing the need for user intervention and configuration changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 cleaner effectively separates wet and dry materials, maintaining suction power and allowing for versatile use in wet cleaning tasks, dry vacuuming, and surface cleaning, with the liquid delivery system enhancing dust separation and maintaining performance across modes.

Implementation Method 1

the use of a cyclonic separator able to separate and retain wet matter from the suction airflow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

a separator upstream of the source of suction, for separating and retaining entrained matter from the suction airflow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

the introduction of the liquid into the suction airflow means that fine particles of dry dust are attracted to water particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 4

The liquid delivery device may deliver the liquid into the suction airflow in the form of dispersed fine droplets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerosol formation: Aerosol

Data Source

PatentEP2699137B1Suction cleaner
Publication Date: 2015.03.18 TECHTRONIC FLOOR CARE TECH LTD
  • EP2699137B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2699137B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3B
  • EP2699137B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A suction cleaner comprising a source of suction, for creating a suction airflow and a separator upstream of the source of suction, for separating and retaining entrained matter from the suction airflow, wherein the separator is adapted for separation of wet material from the suction airflow, the cleaner has a reservoir for liquid and there is a liquid delivery device for delivering the liquid into the suction airflow which enters the separator.