Suction apparatus and separating unit for a suction apparatus with a helical diversion element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction apparatuses, particularly handheld vacuum cleaners, face challenges in maintaining high suction power over prolonged use due to inefficiencies in the flow direction of suction air within the separating unit, leading to reduced separation quality and power.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a helical diversion element within the separating unit that guides suction air in a helical flow around the central filter unit, utilizing a flexible flap and annular ejection/compacting element to enhance airflow direction and improve suction power and separation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If suction air is guided cyclonically around the central filter unit, then separation quality is improved, but suction power decreases over prolonged usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a helical diversion element with a curved surface that guides suction air in a helical flow path around the central filter unit. This curved geometry optimizes the cyclonic effect, enhancing separation quality while maintaining stable suction power through improved airflow dynamics and reduced turbulence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the airflow parameters by introducing a helical flow pattern instead of conventional cyclonic flow. The helical diversion element changes the flow direction and velocity distribution, creating optimal conditions for both separation quality and suction power stability during prolonged usage.
2Productivity
If flow direction is optimized for high suction power, then productivity is improved, but separation quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The helical diversion element uses a precisely calculated helical curvature to guide airflow. This curved surface simultaneously optimizes for high suction power through efficient cyclonic flow and high separation quality through controlled flow direction around the filter unit, resolving the trade-off between productivity and separation quality.
3Device complexity
If conventional cyclonic flow is used, then device complexity is reduced, but suction power decreases during prolonged usage
Solution Approach 1:
The flow guidance structure is segmented into a helical diversion element with specific geometric parameters. This segmented design with defined helical turns and surface characteristics improves suction power consistency during prolonged usage while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through the integrated helical structure.
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 helical diversion element ensures a consistent high suction power and enhanced dirt separation quality by directing airflow effectively, even after prolonged use, by minimizing turbulence and optimizing airflow alignment.
Implementation Method 1
the surface of the diversion element, at least in a partial area, runs in the shape of a helix along the inside of the housing wall around the longitudinal axis, so that the surface of the diversion element has a step with a first edge and a second edge, which are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
the flow of suction air is preferably guided into the separating unit and/or within the separating unit in such a way that the flow of suction air within the separating unit flows in the manner of a cyclone around the central filter unit of the separating unit
Data Source
AI summary
A separating unit for a suction apparatus includes a collecting container surrounded by a housing wall extending along a longitudinal axis and having an inlet opening for a suction air flow. The separating unit causes the suction air flow entering through the inlet opening into the collecting container to have a flow direction in a circumferential direction relative to the longitudinal axis. An annular diversion element has a surface acting on the suction air flow entering into the collecting container. The surface of the diversion element, at least partially, runs helically along the inside of the housing wall around the longitudinal axis. The surface of the diversion element has a step with first and second edges mutually spaced apart along the longitudinal axis. The step of the surface runs at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis. A suction apparatus having the separating unit is also provided.