Dirt Collector with Intermediate Container for Reduced Suction Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current street sweepers with dirt collecting devices require high energy consumption and noise emissions due to the need for continuous maximum suction power to collect coarse dirt, leading to intermittent operation and increased environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A dirt collecting device with an intermediate container in the suction air flow path that operates at reduced suction pressure for most of the time, using mechanical energy from the sweeping roller to collect coarse dirt, and increases suction only when the intermediate container is full for efficient emptying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the suction fan is operated at maximum power continuously to collect coarse dirt, then the collection of coarse dirt is reliable, but the energy consumption and noise emissions increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The suction fan operates dynamically with two distinct power levels: maximum power when the intermediate container is full (to empty it efficiently) and reduced power during normal operation. This dynamic operation allows the system to maintain reliable coarse dirt collection while significantly reducing average energy consumption and noise emissions compared to continuous maximum power operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dirt collection system is segmented into two stages: an intermediate container for temporary storage of coarse dirt and a final collection container. This segmentation allows the suction fan to operate at reduced power during normal collection and only increase to maximum power when the intermediate container needs emptying, resolving the contradiction between reliable collection and energy consumption.
2Productivity
If the suction fan operates at maximum power continuously, then coarse dirt is reliably conveyed into the collection container, but the sweeper must stop frequently to empty the container
Solution Approach 1:
The collection system is divided into an intermediate container and a final collection container. The intermediate container acts as a buffer that can be emptied independently, allowing the sweeper to continue operation without stopping. This segmentation enables continuous productivity while minimizing time loss for emptying operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate container is emptied in advance before it becomes full during normal operation. By monitoring the fill level and emptying the intermediate container proactively, the system prevents interruptions to the sweeping operation, maintaining continuous productivity and reducing time loss.
3Quantity of substance
If the suction fan runs at high power, then air flow is sufficient to pick up coarse dirt, but the weight and fuel requirement of the drive machine increase
Solution Approach 1:
The suction fan operates dynamically, providing high air flow volume only when necessary (when the intermediate container is full and needs emptying) and operating at reduced power during normal collection. This dynamic adjustment maintains sufficient air flow for coarse dirt pickup when needed while significantly reducing average fuel consumption and drive machine weight requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-power suction operation occurs periodically only when the intermediate container is full, rather than continuously. This periodic action provides sufficient air flow volume for coarse dirt collection at the necessary moments while reducing the average energy demand, thereby lowering fuel requirements and allowing for lighter drive machine configuration.
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
Significantly reduces energy consumption and noise emissions by operating the suction fan at lower air speeds for most of the time, allowing continuous operation without frequent emptying of the coarse dirt collection container, and achieving energy savings of up to 75% compared to traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
coarse and fine dirt is removed from the road surface and conveyed into a collection container, assisted by a suction air flow from a suction fan
Implementation Method 2
The roller brush arranged in the front area is used to remove coarse and fine dirt from the surface to be cleaned
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a dirt collecting device for a sweeping vehicle or for a vacuum cleaner nozzle of a floor or an upright vacuum cleaner, which each comprise a suction fan that has a controllable speed and/or power, wherein in a first method step the suction power of the suction fan is set at such a low level that the suction pressure in the dirt collecting device or the vacuum cleaner nozzle is just sufficient to convey the absorbed coarse dirt into the intermediate container and deposit it there as well as to convey the absorbed fine dirt into a collection container arranged downstream thereof (normal operation). In a second method step, the filling level in the intermediate container with respect to the coarse particles deposited therein is detected and in a third method step, if the filling level in the intermediate container is exceeded, the suction power of the suction fan is increased in such a manner that the coarse dirt, which is temporarily deposited in the intermediate container, is dispersible and conveyed into the collection container arranged downstream thereof (emptying mode).