Removable Fluid Pathway Design for Easy-Clean Vacuum Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning appliances face challenges in efficiently separating and managing dirty air and liquid waste, particularly in multi-floor or wet/dry vacuum cleaners, with complex fluid pathways that are difficult to clean and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning appliance design featuring a first and second fluid recovery pathway, where the second pathway is removable and pivotable, allowing easy access for cleaning, and includes a releasable connection system with fastener members for securing the pathway to the main body or recovery tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a steam cleaner uses a conventional heating element to heat water, then the device structure is simple, but the heating efficiency is low and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical heating element with an ultrasonic vibration system. The ultrasonic vibration module generates high-frequency vibrations that directly convert mechanical energy into thermal energy through cavitation and friction effects in the water, eliminating the need for traditional resistive heating elements and significantly improving energy efficiency while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and parameters of water through ultrasonic vibration. The ultrasonic waves create extreme local conditions with temperatures exceeding 2000°C and pressures reaching hundreds of atmospheres during cavitation collapse, fundamentally altering the heating mechanism from conventional thermal conduction to ultrasonic cavitation heating
2Ease of manufacture
If the heating element is positioned at the bottom of the water tank, then installation is simple, but heat conduction efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from bottom heating (one-dimensional heat conduction) to full-volume ultrasonic heating. The ultrasonic vibration module generates cavitation throughout the entire water volume, creating three-dimensional heating that eliminates heat conduction losses and ensures uniform temperature distribution across all cleaning heads simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal conduction-based heating system with an ultrasonic vibration-based heating system. This substitution eliminates the need for heat conduction through the tank bottom and heating element, directly generating heat throughout the water volume through cavitation effects
3Device complexity
If multiple cleaning heads are heated simultaneously from the bottom, then the structure is simple, but heat conduction loss is high and heating efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the bottom heating system with ultrasonic vibration modules positioned at the top of the water tank. These modules generate ultrasonic waves that propagate through the water, creating cavitation throughout the entire volume and simultaneously heating all cleaning heads with high efficiency and no heat conduction losses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating approach from bottom-up thermal conduction to top-down ultrasonic wave propagation. The ultrasonic vibration modules positioned at the top generate cavitation that distributes heat uniformly throughout the water volume, enabling simultaneous efficient heating of multiple cleaning heads at different positions
4Ease of repair
If the water tank is disassembled to access the heating element for cleaning or replacement, then the heating element is accessible, but the operation becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from the water tank structure by using ultrasonic vibration modules that can be independently accessed. The modules are positioned at the top of the tank with accessible connection terminals, allowing users to disconnect power and remove or clean the modules without disassembling the water tank, significantly simplifying maintenance operations
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic vibration modules are designed with self-contained structures that include integrated heating elements and connection terminals accessible from the top. This design enables users to perform maintenance, cleaning, or replacement of the heating modules themselves without requiring professional service or complex disassembly procedures
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
Enhances cleaning efficiency by facilitating easy removal and maintenance of fluid pathways, increasing the available volume for dirt and liquid collection, and ensuring thorough cleaning of the appliance.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element which penetrates through an upper surface of the water tank and extends into the water, the heating element comprising an ultrasonic vibration module
Implementation Method 2
When the heating element is positioned at the bottom of the water tank, then installation is simple, but heat conduction efficiency is low
Implementation Method 3
a cleaner head movable along the guide rail to move between a retracted position and a deployed position
Data Source
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AI summary
A cleaning appliance, including: a main body; a cleaner head for suctioning dirt from a surface to be cleaned, including: a dirty air inlet; and a dirty air outlet; a recovery tank for collecting dirt and/or dirty liquid; a first fluid recovery pathway; and a second fluid recovery pathway; wherein the first fluid recovery pathway is fluidly connectable to the dirty air outlet and the second fluid recovery pathway; wherein the second fluid recovery pathway is fluidly connectable to the recovery tank, and 15 is positioned outside the recovery tank, and wherein the second fluid recovery pathway is removable from a remainder of the cleaning appliance.