Suction Device Retaining Plate Liquid Re-entry
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window vacuum cleaners suffer from the issue of water being blown out of the device due to its re-entry into the air stream from the liquid container, potentially damaging electronic components.
Innovation Solution
A suction device design featuring a pipe that runs partially through the liquid container, with a retaining plate and manifold structure to prevent liquid from flowing back into the air stream, utilizing a blocking structure to separate liquid and air flow paths and redirecting liquid back into the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pipe inlet and pipe outlet are arranged on opposite sides of the pipe, then the liquid flow path is lengthened and liquid retention is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for blocking structures and retaining plates
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid container is divided into multiple compartments by retaining plates, with each compartment having specific functions (inlet region, outlet region, intermediate regions). This segmentation allows the blocking structure to effectively retain liquid while maintaining a manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Blocking structures (such as baffles or blocking plates) are introduced as intermediary elements within the pipe to prevent direct liquid flow from inlet to outlet. These intermediaries force the liquid to follow a longer, more tortuous path, improving retention without requiring complete redesign of the pipe geometry.
2Reliability
If the pipe runs at least partially through the liquid container, then the liquid flow path is extended and liquid retention is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional blocking structures
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe is nested within the liquid container, with the pipe running through the container and blocking structures positioned inside the pipe. This nested arrangement maximizes the liquid flow path length within the available space while keeping the overall device compact and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking structures are arranged in multiple dimensions within the pipe (radial baffles, axial blocking plates, circumferential barriers), creating a three-dimensional flow path that extends the liquid retention distance without significantly increasing the external dimensions of the device.
3Reliability
If blocking structures are added to prevent direct liquid flow, then liquid retention is improved, but the air flow efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking structures are designed with local quality variations - they are positioned and sized to specifically block liquid flow paths while leaving adequate openings and channels for air flow. The blocking plates may have perforations or gaps that allow air passage while preventing liquid breakthrough, achieving selective flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The design utilizes the different physical properties of air and liquid (pneumatics and hydraulics) by creating blocking structures that exploit surface tension, viscosity, and flow velocity differences. The blocking elements are configured to interact differently with liquid versus gas, allowing air to pass efficiently while liquid is retained.
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
Effectively reduces the amount of liquid blown out of the suction device, ensuring reliable operation and protection of internal components by minimizing liquid re-entry into the air stream.
Implementation Method 1
a device inlet (5) for sucking in liquid (2) and air from outside of the suction device (1)
Implementation Method 2
Due to gravity, the liquid flows to a bottom side of the container
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
Suction device (1) for a liquid (2), wherein: - the suction device (1) comprises a device inlet (5), a liquid container (7) and a pipe (10); - the pipe (10) comprises a container inlet opening (13), a container outlet opening (14) and a structure (15) for blocking a direct flow of the sucked in liquid (2) and air from a pipe inlet (11) to a pipe outlet (12); and - the suction device (1) comprises a retaining plate (16), which is arranged inside the liquid container (7) and axially between the container inlet opening (13) and the container outlet opening (14) and is designed to retain at least a part of the sucked in liquid (2) from flowing from the liquid container (7) into the pipe (10) via the container outlet opening (14).