Parallel Inlet Nozzle Design to Reduce Vacuum Cleaner Turbulence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction inlet openings for vacuum cleaners suffer from turbulent fluid flow, which reduces suction power and leads to undesirable dirt particle distribution in storage containers, resulting in unwanted deposits on the container walls.

Innovation Solution

A suction inlet opening design featuring a first, second, and third partial inlet section, where the central longitudinal axes of the first and third sections are arranged essentially parallel or at an acute angle, with curved sections and specific cross-sectional area overlaps to ensure a horizontal and directed fluid flow, reducing turbulence and enhancing flow behavior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple pipe section is used as the suction inlet opening, then the device complexity is reduced, but turbulent flow occurs which reduces suction power and causes unwanted deposits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction inlet opening structureVSAvoidsuction power and flow distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction inlet opening is divided into multiple partial inlet sections (first, second, and third partial inlet sections) arranged in sequence. This segmentation allows the fluid to flow through multiple stages, gradually directing it horizontally into the vacuum cleaner interior, thereby reducing turbulence while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Curved sections are introduced between the partial inlet sections to guide the fluid flow smoothly. The curved transitions prevent abrupt directional changes that would cause turbulence, ensuring laminar flow while adding minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If the suction inlet opening is designed with multiple partial inlet sections and curved sections, then turbulent flow is reduced and suction power is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction power and flow distributionVSAvoidsuction inlet opening structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction inlet opening is divided into multiple partial inlet sections (first, second, and third partial inlet sections) arranged in sequence. This segmentation allows the fluid to flow through multiple stages, gradually directing it horizontally into the vacuum cleaner interior, thereby reducing turbulence while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Curved sections are introduced between the partial inlet sections to guide the fluid flow smoothly. The curved transitions prevent abrupt directional changes that would cause turbulence, ensuring laminar flow while adding minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Device complexity

If the fluid flows vertically or at an angle into the vacuum cleaner, then the suction inlet opening structure is simplified, but turbulent flow occurs leading to unwanted deposits on storage container walls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction inlet opening configurationVSAvoidunwanted deposits on storage container walls
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The suction inlet opening is divided into multiple partial inlet sections (first, second, and third partial inlet sections) arranged in sequence. This segmentation allows the fluid to flow through multiple stages, gradually directing it horizontally into the vacuum cleaner interior, thereby reducing turbulence while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Curved sections are introduced between the partial inlet sections to guide the fluid flow smoothly. The curved transitions prevent abrupt directional changes that would cause turbulence, ensuring laminar flow while adding minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 design achieves a smooth, horizontal fluid flow into the vacuum cleaner, improving suction power and preventing unwanted deposits in the storage container by minimizing turbulence and optimizing fluid flow.

Implementation Method 1

this often results in a turbulent flow of the fluid, which on the one hand has a negative effect on the suction power and on the other hand leads to an undesirable distribution of the dirt particles in the storage container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP3199081B1Parallel inlet nozzle
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 HILTI AG
  • EP3199081B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3199081B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3199081B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Suction inlet opening for a vacuum cleaner, which is particularly suitable for admitting a fluid and storing it in a storage container, containing at least a first partial inlet section, a second partial inlet section and a third partial inlet section, the first partial inlet section being connected to the third partial inlet section by means of the second partial inlet section in such a way that a fluid drawn in by the vacuum cleaner subsequently flows through the first, second and third inlet sections to the storage container. A central longitudinal axis of the third inlet section is arranged substantially horizontally such that the fluid flows substantially horizontally out of the third inlet section into the storage vessel.