Vacuum Motor Sound Shield Layout for Quieter Airflow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface cleaning apparatuses, such as vacuum cleaners, generate significant noise due to the operation of suction motors, which can be bothersome for users.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a sound shield with a passage between two housings, featuring openings that are strategically positioned and sized to reduce noise transmission, including a suction motor housing with perforations that inhibit specific sound wavelengths from passing through, and an airflow chamber to direct and dampen sound waves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a suction motor is used to generate suction force, then cleaning performance is improved, but noise level increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sound shield as an intermediary component positioned between the suction motor and the external environment. This sound shield includes a passage with openings that selectively blocks noise waves while allowing air flow to pass through, thereby mediating between the noise-generating motor and the user space without compromising cleaning performance
Solution Approach 2:
The sound shield features openings with specific dimensions (length greater than half the wavelength of noise, height and width less than noise wave amplitude) that are strategically positioned to target specific noise frequencies. This local quality approach allows the shield to be effective against noise while maintaining airflow efficiency
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a sound shield with openings is introduced to reduce noise, then noise transmission is reduced, but airflow path complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sound shield is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a noise barrier while also serving as an airflow passage. The openings are dimensioned to fulfill both acoustic filtering and air flow requirements, eliminating the need for separate noise control and airflow management systems
3Productivity
If openings in the sound shield are made larger to improve airflow, then air flow efficiency is improved, but noise transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the opening dimensions: length greater than half the wavelength of the noise to be blocked, and height and width less than the amplitude of the noise waves. These parameter changes create an optimal balance where airflow efficiency is maintained while noise transmission is reduced through acoustic filtering effects
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 configuration effectively reduces the external noise perceived by users, allowing for a quieter operation of the surface cleaning apparatus while maintaining airflow efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the suction motor can generate noise waves at a given wavelength, and having a given amplitude
Implementation Method 2
The openings preferably have a length that is greater than half of the length of the given wavelengths of the noise generated by the suction motor. The openings preferably have a height and a width that are each less than the amplitude of the noise waves generated by the suction motor
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and includes an air treatment member. A suction motor may be provided in the air flow path. A suction motor housing sidewall may comprise a plurality of openings provided in a first side thereof. An outer housing may comprise a longitudinally extending outer housing sidewall having an outer housing air outlet. At least a portion of the suction motor housing that has the plurality of openings is located in the outer housing and spaced from the longitudinally extending outer housing sidewall to define a passage between the outer housing and the suction motor housing. The outer housing air outlet may be angularly spaced around the outer housing with respect to the first side of the suction motor housing.