Portable Hard Surface Vacuum Separation Chamber for Stable Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hard surface suction devices face issues with variable suction flow due to liquid level in the dirty liquid tank and limited operational orientation, making it difficult to effectively clean inclined or hard-to-reach surfaces.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a separation chamber between the suction nozzle and suction unit, connected via suction and vacuum lines, with intermediate storage areas surrounding the line mouths, allowing for constant suction flow and operation in any vertical orientation by separating liquid from the mixture and storing it for later drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid is separated from the liquid-air mixture directly in the dirty liquid tank, then the separation function is achieved, but the suction flow changes depending on the liquid level in the tank
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two functional parts: a separation chamber that maintains constant suction flow and a dirty liquid tank that receives separated liquid. The separation chamber is connected to the tank via a drain opening, allowing liquid to drain without affecting the suction flow in the separation chamber. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by isolating the suction flow generation from the liquid accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation chamber acts as an intermediary between the suction nozzle and the dirty liquid tank. It provides a buffer zone where liquid separation occurs without directly exposing the suction unit to variable liquid levels in the tank. The drain opening serves as a controlled intermediary pathway for liquid removal, maintaining suction flow stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the suction nozzle is arranged below the suction unit when operated overhead, then the device can reach inclined surfaces, but liquid may emerge again from the suction mouth
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to liquid management by introducing intermediate storage areas above the suction line mouth area in the separation chamber. These storage areas capture liquid that would otherwise emerge from the suction mouth when operated overhead, allowing the device to function in any orientation without compromising liquid containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate storage areas are positioned to preemptively capture liquid before it can reach the suction mouth or vacuum line. By providing these storage zones in advance, the system prevents liquid from emerging from the suction mouth during overhead operation, maintaining reliability across all orientations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If intermediate storage areas surround the suction and vacuum line mouth areas, then the device can operate in any orientation, but the separation chamber volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly expanding the separation chamber, intermediate storage areas are localized specifically around the suction line and vacuum line mouth areas. This targeted approach provides the necessary liquid capture capacity for multi-orientation operation while minimizing the overall volume increase of the separation chamber.
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
Ensures consistent suction quality regardless of liquid tank level and operational position, enabling efficient cleaning of surfaces like window panes with constant suction flow and easy handling.
Implementation Method 1
a suction flow is generated by means of a suction unit, so that a mixture of liquid and air can be sucked in via the suction nozzle
Implementation Method 2
The liquid can be separated from the mixture of liquid and air by means of the separating device
Implementation Method 3
the separated liquid first being in the at least one den Mouth area of the suction line surrounding intermediate storage area can accumulate within the separation chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a portable hard surface vacuum (10) comprising a suction nozzle (45) and a suction unit (16), which is in fluid connection with the suction nozzle, for vacuuming a liquid-air mixture from a hard surface, and comprising a separating device (40, 57) for separating liquid from the liquid-air mixture and comprising a waste liquid tank (23) for receiving the separated liquid. In order to refine the hard surface vacuum in such a way that a constant suction flow is provided, regardless of the fill level of the waste liquid tank, and such that operation in an arbitrary orientation in relation to the vertical position can be carried out, a separating chamber (33) is arranged between the suction nozzle and the suction unit, said chamber housing the separating unit and being in fluid connection via a suction line (47) to the suction port (48) of the suction nozzle and in fluid connection to the suction unit via a suction line (60), and said chamber being connected via an outlet opening (67) to the waste liquid tank, wherein the port regions (51, 61) of the suction (47) and vacuum line within the separating chamber are surrounded at least partially by intermediate storage regions (71, 72, 73) for separated liquid in the circumferential direction.