Vacuum Cleaner Suction Channel With Moisture-Triggered Air Bypass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum cleaning devices continue to suck in moisture after detecting it, leading to potential malfunctions and damage to the filter bag or blower motor due to the continuous, albeit decreasing, suction air flow.
Innovation Solution
A secondary air opening is activated when moisture is detected, spatially separated from the suction mouth, allowing suction air to flow away from the moisture area, thereby interrupting negative pressure and protecting downstream components, and a self-test mechanism ensures the moisture sensor's functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the blower motor is switched off immediately upon moisture detection, then the risk of moisture damage to downstream components is reduced, but the suction air flow cannot be interrupted effectively because the fan continues to run and generate suction
Solution Approach 1:
The suction channel is divided into two separate air paths: a primary suction channel that is closed when moisture is detected, and a secondary air opening that remains open to allow the fan to continue running without drawing moisture-laden air. This segmentation allows independent control of the two air paths to resolve the contradiction between protecting components and maintaining fan operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A flap mechanism acts as an intermediary element that selectively closes the primary suction channel while leaving the secondary air opening open. This mediator allows the system to redirect the suction air flow away from the moisture source while maintaining fan operation, effectively resolving the contradiction between component protection and continuous fan operation.
2Reliability
If the suction channel is completely closed when moisture is detected, then moisture absorption by downstream components is prevented, but the fan cannot run out properly leading to potential motor damage
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake system is segmented into a primary suction channel for normal operation and a secondary air opening for fan cooling. When moisture is detected, only the primary channel is closed while the secondary opening remains open, allowing the fan to continue running without moisture damage to downstream components.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the air intake system are given different functions: the primary suction channel is designed to be closed upon moisture detection to protect downstream components, while the secondary air opening is designed to remain open to maintain fan operation. This local differentiation of function resolves the contradiction between component protection and fan cooling.
3Reliability
If a secondary air opening is opened when moisture is detected, then suction air flow is redirected away from moisture area, but the device complexity increases due to additional openings and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary air opening is integrated into the existing suction channel structure rather than being a completely separate component. The flap mechanism that controls the primary suction channel is extended to also control access to the secondary opening, merging multiple functions into a single control system and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap mechanism serves multiple functions: it controls the primary suction channel during normal operation, redirects air flow to the secondary opening when moisture is detected, and can be used for self-testing of the moisture sensor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall device structure.
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
Prevents further moisture absorption by the filter bag and blower motor, ensuring the device's safety and reliability by effectively interrupting suction air flow at the moisture area and verifying the moisture sensor's functionality during startup.
Implementation Method 1
A capacitive humidity sensor consists of two sensor parts 18 arranged at a distance from one another transversely to the usual direction of flow r
Implementation Method 2
A tension spring 32 acts on this, which at the other end, extending over the folding axis x, is fixed to a mounting bracket 33 formed on the upper side of the suction channel cover
Implementation Method 3
the closed position of the secondary air opening is secured by a magnet, more preferably by an electromagnet
Implementation Method 4
An attachment 10 essentially consists of a nozzle head 11 seated on the floor 9 to be cleaned and a nozzle body 12 connecting the nozzle head 11 to the vacuum cleaner 1
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The vacuum cleaner (S) has a suction port (15) and a suction channel (14), where a capacitive humidity sensor (17) is arranged in the suction channel. The suction channel opens during detection of humidity in a secondary air opening that is spatially attached to the humidity sensor. Monitoring and/or cleaning agents in contact with the humidity sensor proceed during opening movement of the air opening. The air opening is obtained by opening a part of a suction channel wall (21). A locking position of the air opening is secured by magnets (36).