Road Cleaning Unit With Dual Suction Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current road cleaning units face issues with air pollution due to incomplete air recycling, frequent maintenance needs, and inability to efficiently process fine dust and toxic particles, leading to increased operational costs and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning unit with a containment chamber, primary and secondary suction means positioned in parallel, and a filtration system that separates air into turbulent and recirculation zones, allowing for efficient air recycling and automatic filter cleaning without interrupting operation, using a combination of centrifugal and axial-flow fans and filters to minimize pollutant release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If air is recycled to lift pollutants from the ground, then energy cost is reduced, but pollution is caused when the recycled air is dispersed into the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The suction apparatus is divided into two independent suction means: a first suction means for creating a first suction force to lift pollutants, and a second suction means for creating a second suction force to extract and filter air. This segmentation allows the system to separate the functions of pollutant lifting and air extraction, enabling the recycled air to be filtered before discharge, thus reducing pollution while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A filtration apparatus is introduced as an intermediary component between the recycled air and the environment. The filtration apparatus includes a filter that intercepts and removes pollutants from the air before it is discharged, acting as a mediator that allows the recycled air to be safely dispersed into the environment without causing pollution.
2Productivity
If purified air is used to lift pollutants, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but the purified air mixes with pollutants and needs to be purified again, causing energy waste and operational time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary separation of air and pollutants using the first suction means and containment chamber before the air is recycled. By pre-separating the air stream and removing larger pollutants in advance, the system reduces the need for subsequent purification cycles, thereby maintaining cleaning efficiency while minimizing energy waste from repeated purification processes.
3Reliability
If filters are cleaned or replaced frequently, then pollution processing capability is maintained, but operational time is interrupted and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a self-cleaning mechanism where the second suction means continuously extracts and removes accumulated pollutants from the filter surface during operation. This self-service function allows the filter to maintain its cleaning capability without requiring manual intervention or operational interruptions, thereby preserving pollution processing capability while eliminating time loss from filter maintenance.
4Device complexity
If a single suction means is used, then device complexity is reduced, but air recycling efficiency is insufficient leading to higher pollution discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The suction apparatus is segmented into two independent suction means with distinct functions: the first suction means for lifting pollutants from the ground, and the second suction means for extracting and filtering air. This segmentation, while increasing device complexity, enables effective air recycling by allowing the second suction means to continuously remove pollutants from the air stream, thereby reducing pollution discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration apparatus serves as an intermediary component that works in conjunction with the two suction means. It receives air from the containment chamber, filters out pollutants through the filter, and returns the cleaned air to the environment or recycles it, thus mediating between the suction forces and the environment to minimize pollution discharge.
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 enables effective pollutant retention, reduced maintenance requirements, and efficient processing of fine particles, minimizing environmental impact and operational costs while maintaining continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
a suction apparatus (3) including a suction inlet (6) positioned close to the ground... said suction apparatus being suitable to recycle the air between said containment chamber (2) and said suction inlet (6)
Implementation Method 2
said containment chamber (2) including a separation element (9) that separates a turbulent zone, in which exists air with a high level of turbulence and energy, and a recirculation zone, in which exists air with a low level of turbulence and energy
Implementation Method 3
a filtration apparatus (12)... said suction apparatus being suitable to recycle the air between said containment chamber (2) and said suction inlet (6)
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning unit is disclosed, comprising: a containment chamber (2) defining an accumulation base (10), a suction apparatus (3) including a suction inlet (6) positioned close to the ground, and a filtering apparatus (12), the suction apparatus (3) comprising primary suction means (4) and secondary suction means (5) positioned in parallel to one another above the accumulation base (10), the primary suction means (4) controlling said suction inlet (6) and the secondary suction means (5) being suitable to expel filtered air, and the containment chamber (2) including separating element (9) which separates the turbulent zone (5a), the air inside of which being highly turbulent, and a recirculation zone (4a), the air inside of which having a low turbulence, the recirculation zone (4a) being connected to the primary suction means (4) and the turbulent zone (5a) being connected to the secondary suction means (5).