Liquid filtration vacuum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Upright-style vacuum cleaners face challenges in incorporating a liquid filter due to space constraints and maneuverability issues, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential leaks or spills during use, especially when tilted.
Innovation Solution
An upright-style vacuum cleaner design with a water tank and nano-silver impregnated components, where air is directed below the water level for immediate filtration, and reversible seals prevent leaks, ensuring efficient operation and cleanliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air is directed below the water level for immediate filtration, then filtration efficiency is improved, but the risk of water leakage or spill increases when the vacuum cleaner is tilted
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrophobic membrane acts as an intermediary between the air flow path and the water reservoir. The membrane allows air molecules to pass through while blocking water molecules due to their hydrophobic properties, enabling the air to be drawn from below the water level without creating a direct pathway for water leakage when the device is tilted
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic membrane is a thin film structure that selectively permits gas permeation while preventing liquid penetration. This thin film barrier maintains the integrity of the water reservoir when tilted, allowing the air intake to be positioned below the water level for improved filtration efficiency without the risk of water spilling onto components
2Reliability
If a mechanical filter is used in addition to the liquid filter, then filtration reliability is improved, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the mechanical filter component from the filtration system, relying solely on the liquid filter with air drawn from below the water level. This removal of the mechanical filter simplifies the device structure and reduces maintenance requirements while maintaining filtration reliability through the optimized liquid filtration approach
3Reliability
If the air flow generator pulls the entire volume of intake air through the liquid, then filtration efficiency is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by creating a dedicated water-wash section for the air stream without requiring the entire intake air volume to be pulled through the liquid. The air flow generator only needs to move air through the water in the filtration chamber, while the bulk of the air intake can be handled with less energy expenditure, as the high-efficiency liquid filtration is applied locally to the air stream that requires it
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 solution provides a more efficient and leak-resistant upright vacuum cleaner with nano-silver antimicrobial properties, enhancing airflow and capturing contaminants without the need for a separate mechanical filter, maintaining cleanliness and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
intake air is exhausted from the basin intake channels directly in to the water... dirt, dust, debris, and contaminants are immediately absorbed by the water
Implementation Method 2
When the exemplary nanometals encounter a contaminant, the nanometal oxidizes and releases ions which contact the contaminant, killing it
Implementation Method 3
The reversible seal may include a seal body, a biasing mechanism and an inlet port flap... the force of the airflow overcomes the biasing force and urges the inlet port seal to the open position
Data Source
AI summary
An upright water filtration vacuum containing a antimicrobial particulate for anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. The water filtration vacuum device draws in the air, forcing it in to the water and mixing it with, e.g., nano-silver, returning clean, fresh air in to the home environment.