Suction Air Regulator With Housing Bypass for Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction devices face challenges in regulating suction air flow without generating excessive noise, and existing solutions are either structurally complex or not adaptable to different suction nozzles.

Innovation Solution

A device with a secondary air opening in the suction device, controlled by a mechanical element, allows for regulation of suction air flow, reducing noise by routing secondary air through the device's housing and providing a stepless adjustment mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a slide regulator is used in the suction channel to control secondary air flow, then the suction air flow can be regulated, but significant additional noise is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction air flow regulationVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the air flow regulation function from the suction channel and relocates it to the suction device housing. The closing element is positioned in the housing rather than in the suction channel, so that secondary air is introduced directly into the suction device rather than through the suction channel. This eliminates the noise-generating interaction between the slide regulator and the suction air flow in the channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary structure - the housing with its own air opening and closing element - that mediates between the external air source and the suction air flow. The housing acts as an intermediate chamber where secondary air can be mixed with suction air before entering the suction channel, avoiding direct noise generation in the channel itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a rotatable sleeve regulator is used in the suction duct to reduce noise, then noise development is reduced, but the structural complexity and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the regulation mechanism from the complex rotatable sleeve design and simplifies it to a closing element mounted on a rotating axis within the housing. The closing element can be a simple flap, valve, or adjustable opening that rotates to control the secondary air opening area, eliminating the need for complex sleeve structures while maintaining noise reduction benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex sleeve that encloses and rotates around the suction duct, the invention inverts the approach by placing a simple closing element that rotates within the housing to control an opening. This reverses the conventional wisdom of where the regulation mechanism should be located and simplifies the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If an air flow regulator is integrated into the suction nozzle, then the suction air flow can be regulated locally, but the regulator is lost when the suction nozzle is changed and cannot be implemented in all suction nozzle designs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocal suction air flow regulationVSAvoidregulator compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a universal regulation system located in the suction device housing that can serve all types of suction nozzles. The housing-based regulator is not attached to or integrated with the suction nozzle, so it remains when nozzles are changed. The system provides multi-functionality by regulating suction air flow for different nozzle types (carpet, furniture, hard floor) without requiring nozzle-specific regulators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively reduces noise pollution and allows for adaptable suction control across various surfaces without increasing production costs, making it suitable for retrofitting existing devices.

Implementation Method 1

das Schließelement um eine Rotationsachse rotieren lässt

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

Durchführbarkeit einer schrittlosen Verstellung des Querschnitts der zweiten Luftöffnung

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow control:

Implementation Method 3

zweite Luft, die in Richtung des Saugluftstroms in die Saugvorrichtung eintritt, dem Saugluftstrom zuzuführen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid mixing:

Implementation Method 4

Vorteilhaft wird die zweite Luftströmung in eine Antekammer des Gebläses geleitet, in der sich das Schließelement befindet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow regulation:

Implementation Method 5

Die mit dem Einziehen der falschen Luft verbundene Geräuschentwicklung wird durch das Gehäuse der Saugvorrichtung wirksam gedämpft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic damping: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP2123204B1Device for regulating the suction air stream of a suction device
Publication Date: 2016.11.16 SPRINTUS
  • EP2123204B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2123204B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2123204B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device comprises a suction unit (10), which has an infiltrated air opening (22). A control element (23) is provided, which controls the cross-section of the opening of the infiltrated air opening, such that infiltrated air is supplied to a suction air flow (S). The control element is formed as a slide valve.