Vacuum Cleaner Capacitor Discharge for Static Flashover Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum cleaners, especially those of protection class II without a protective earth connection, face issues with static charge discharge during use on insulating floors, leading to voltage flashovers and damage to electronic controls.

Innovation Solution

A capacitor device with at least one capacitor is electrically connected to a contact element, allowing static voltage to be fed into the electrical power network when a certain charge quantity is exceeded, ensuring safe discharge without risking operator contact, using a gas discharge lamp for visual indication and resistors for safe voltage handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protective earth connection is not provided (protection class II), then the device meets safety requirements for modern appliances, but static charge cannot be dissipated leading to voltage flashovers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection class II safetyVSAvoidstatic charge accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A capacitor device is introduced as an intermediary between the electrically non-conductive parts and the electrical power network. The capacitor accumulates static charge during normal operation and periodically discharges it to the power network, serving as a mediator that prevents direct static discharge paths while maintaining protection class II requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical state of the system is changed by introducing a capacitive element that alters how static charge is handled. Instead of direct conductive discharge paths, the system uses capacitive coupling to manage static charge, changing the electrical parameters from resistive/conductive to capacitive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If static charge is discharged through conductive paths, then static voltage is removed, but voltage flashovers can occur damaging electronic controls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatic voltage removalVSAvoidvoltage flashovers

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitor device acts as a cushioning element that gradually accumulates and releases static charge. By storing charge on the capacitor and discharging it through controlled paths to the power network, the system prevents sudden voltage flashovers that would directly impact sensitive electronic controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful static charge is converted into a beneficial controlled discharge mechanism. The capacitor transforms the potentially destructive static discharge into a controlled electrical process that safely releases charge to the power network, preventing damage to electronic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the contact element is made accessible for charge discharge, then static voltage can be released, but operator safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatic charge dischargeVSAvoidoperator safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitor device enables self-service static charge discharge. The system automatically manages static charge accumulation and discharge without requiring operator intervention or accessible contact elements. The capacitor periodically releases charge to the power network autonomously, maintaining operator safety while effectively managing static charge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution effectively prevents voltage flashovers, protecting sensitive electronics in vacuum cleaners by securely discharging static charges, even in protection class II devices, ensuring operational safety and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitor device, which has a capacitor group with at least one capacitor, which is connected to a feed line for feeding in the static voltage and outputs the voltage to the electrical power network when a certain charge quantity is exceeded

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a gas discharge lamp is located in the feed line feeding the charge. As soon as a static voltage higher than the ignition voltage of this gas discharge lamp arises, the gas discharge lamp ignites and forwards the applied high voltage to the capacitor group

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas discharge: Electric Arc

Data Source

PatentUS9526386B2Vacuum cleaner, particularly wet vacuum cleaner, and device for discharging static charge, particularly for use in vacuum cleaners

Publication Date: 2016.12.27 PROAIR GERATEBAU

AI summary

A vacuum cleaner of protection class II is provided with a connection for a suction hose; a drive motor; at least one electrically non-conductive part; a feed line configured to feed static voltage; and a capacitor device provided with a capacitor group with at least one capacitor. For discharging static voltage, the electrically non-conductive part is electrically conductively connected via at least one contact element to the capacitor device. The feed line is connected to the at least one capacitor. The at least one capacitor outputs the voltage to an electrical power network when a certain charge quantity is exceeded. The at least one contact element can be the motor shaft of the drive motor.