Vacuum Cleaner Accessory Tank With Backflow Fluid Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dry vacuum cleaners are unable to distribute or recover fluids without risking damage to their motor and filtration systems, requiring separate equipment for fluid distribution and recovery tasks, and existing adaptations often fail to prevent fluid from entering the suction source, leading to system damage.
Innovation Solution
An accessory tool with a housing assembly connected to a vacuum hose, featuring a suction nozzle, recovery tank, and backflow preventer that separates fluid from air flow, allowing for fluid distribution and recovery while preventing fluid from re-entering the suction nozzle, thus protecting the vacuum cleaner's components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional dry vacuum cleaner is used for fluid recovery, then fluid can be collected, but fluid may enter the filtration system and suction source causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional zones: a collection chamber for fluid storage, a separation chamber for air-fluid separation, and a protected suction path. This segmentation ensures that collected fluid remains isolated from the vacuum cleaner's internal components, allowing fluid recovery without compromising system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
A separation mechanism acts as an intermediary between the collection chamber and the suction source. This intermediary component (including separation screens and controlled openings) prevents direct communication between recovered fluid and the filtration system, enabling safe adaptation of dry vacuum cleaners for fluid recovery tasks
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a collection container is used to store recovered fluid, then fluid can be separated from air flow, but the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The collection chamber serves multiple functions: it stores recovered fluid, acts as a separation chamber, and provides a controlled interface for fluid removal. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, maintaining relatively simple device structure while achieving effective fluid separation
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables easy removal and emptying of the collection chamber, allowing recovered fluid to be efficiently discarded. The chamber can be quickly detached and emptied without disassembling the entire device, maintaining simplicity while ensuring effective fluid recovery and removal
3Adaptability or versatility
If the collection container is overfilled or tilted, then fluid may remain in the air flow and enter the vacuum cleaner, but the device loses its protective function
Solution Approach 1:
The separation screens and controlled openings are positioned to prevent fluid from entering the suction path before overfilling or tilting can occur. This preliminary protective arrangement ensures that even if the collection chamber is overfilled or tilted during operation, fluid cannot reach the filtration system, maintaining protection reliability throughout the full range of operational flexibility
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
Enables the use of conventional dry vacuum cleaners for both fluid distribution and recovery without risking damage, by ensuring fluid is isolated from the air flow and suction source, enhancing their cleaning capabilities while maintaining system integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a suction source, a housing assembly having a suction outlet opening adapted to be connected to a vacuum hose in fluid communication with the suction source
Implementation Method 2
a backflow preventer configured to prevent escape of fluid from the recovery tank back into the suction nozzle wherein a suction flow path is established from the suction nozzle, through the recovery tank, and to the suction outlet opening when suction is applied at the suction opening
Data Source
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AI summary
An accessory tool (10) can include a recovery tank assembly for removing fluid and dirt from a surface to be cleaned and store the recovered fluid and dirt. The accessory tool can be used in connection with a vacuum cleaner (14) including an extraction cleaner. The accessory tool can include a housing assembly having a suction outlet opening adapted to be connected to a vacuum hose (12) in fluid communication with the suction source of the vacuum cleaner (14) and a recovery tank (18) can be in fluid communication with the suction nozzle to store liquid drawn in through the suction nozzle (38).