Vacuum Cleaner Suction Head Baffle for Noise and Droplet Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum cleaners with existing deflection elements in suction air outlet ducts can still accumulate significant liquid droplets and generate noise due to the direct suction air flow, which affects their performance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a deflection element in the suction air outlet duct that deflects suction air vertically and using an air guide part to direct the air in an arc around the deflection element, combined with soundproofing elements like insulating foam and a ring wall, to reduce noise and prevent liquid droplet accumulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a deflection element is arranged in the suction air outlet duct to deflect suction air vertically, then noise is reduced, but liquid droplets may accumulate in the suction head

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidliquid droplet accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection element is designed with selective functionality: it deflects suction air vertically to reduce noise while allowing liquid droplets to pass through due to gravity. This local differentiation in flow handling resolves the contradiction between noise reduction and liquid droplet management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The suction air outlet duct is segmented into different flow paths: one for deflected suction air that reduces noise, and another that allows liquid droplets to pass through to the collection container. This segmentation enables simultaneous achievement of noise reduction and liquid droplet prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the deflection element extends over the full width of the suction air outlet channel, then noise is maximally reduced, but liquid droplets cannot pass through

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidliquid droplet discharge
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection element extends only partially across the width of the suction air outlet channel rather than fully blocking it. This partial action is sufficient to deflect suction air for noise reduction while leaving enough opening for liquid droplets to pass through to the collection container

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If suction air flows directly from the suction unit to the suction outlet, then liquid droplets can be discharged efficiently, but noise is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid droplet dischargeVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection element acts as an intermediary structure that modifies the direct flow path between suction unit and outlet. It introduces a vertical deflection component that reduces noise while maintaining the overall flow direction needed for liquid droplet discharge

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 levels and prevents liquid droplet accumulation in the suction head while maintaining high suction capacity, achieving a quiet and efficient operation.

Implementation Method 1

the deflection element protrudes upwards from a bottom wall of the suction air outlet duct... The suction air is deflected vertically upwards at the deflection element, i.e. it is deflected by 90°

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow deflection:

Implementation Method 2

In order to achieve a particularly effective noise reduction, in a preferred embodiment of the invention a soundproofing element is arranged on the upstream side of the deflection element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 3

the at least one suction unit has an axial/radial fan which is surrounded by an annular wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP2330958B1Vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2016.02.10 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP2330958B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2330958B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2330958B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner (10) comprising a dust collection container (11) and a suction head (13) that can be placed on the dust collection container (11), said head having at least one suction assembly (18, 19, 20) that is in fluid connection with the dust collection container via a suction air inlet (30) and is in fluid connection with a suction air outlet (89, 91) via at least one suction air outlet channel (49, 56) in order to form a suction air stream. To develop the vacuum cleaner (10) so that it emits the least noise possible, according to the invention at least one baffle element (61, 64) is situated in at least one suction air outlet channel (49, 56), said element allowing the suction air stream to be deflected in the vertical direction.