Hard Surface Vacuum Separator Layout for Upright Suction Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hard surface suction devices face challenges in maintaining effective suction flow with minimal energy consumption, as the liquid level in the dirty liquid tank increases during operation, and they are not designed to function effectively in inclined or vertical positions without impairing the suction flow.
Innovation Solution
A hard surface suction device with a separating chamber upstream of the suction unit, featuring a curved separating device that separates liquid from air, allowing the air to flow to the suction unit while the liquid is collected in a dirty liquid tank, and includes a rechargeable energy source for portability and efficient operation in various positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large-sized suction unit is used to achieve strong suction flow, then the suction flow strength is improved, but the device size, energy consumption, and noise level increase
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device is divided into separate functional components: a compact suction unit and a separate dirt container. This segmentation allows the suction unit to be small and energy-efficient while the dirt container handles liquid accumulation, resolving the contradiction between suction strength and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
A separation chamber acts as an intermediary between the suction channel and the dirt container. It separates liquid from air using centrifugal force and gravity, allowing the suction unit to maintain strong airflow without directly handling liquid accumulation, thus reducing energy consumption and noise.
2Productivity
If a large-sized suction unit is used to achieve strong suction flow, then the suction flow strength is improved, but the device complexity and noise level increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into modular components (suction unit, separation chamber, dirt container) that can be independently designed and optimized. This reduces overall device complexity while maintaining effective suction flow through the compact suction unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation chamber serves as a mediator that simplifies the overall system by handling liquid separation outside the suction unit, allowing the suction unit itself to remain simple and compact while still achieving strong suction flow.
3Ease of operation
If the suction nozzle is positioned above the suction unit, then the device can be operated in upright position, but liquid accumulation in the dirty liquid tank impairs suction flow
Solution Approach 1:
The separation chamber acts as an intermediary that prevents liquid from the dirt container from affecting the suction flow. It maintains a clear separation between liquid and air paths, allowing upright operation without suction impairment.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid separation function is extracted from the suction unit and placed in a separate dirt container system. This extraction allows the suction unit to operate independently without being affected by liquid accumulation in the dirty liquid tank.
4Volume of moving object
If the suction device is designed for compact size, then portability is improved, but the suction unit size is reduced which may affect suction flow strength
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented so that the compact suction unit focuses solely on generating suction flow, while the separate dirt container handles liquid accumulation. This allows the suction unit to remain small and portable while maintaining effective suction flow strength.
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 device achieves effective cleaning with low energy consumption, reducing flow losses and the risk of vortex formation, enabling operation in inclined or vertical positions without liquid accumulation affecting suction flow, and maintaining a compact, portable design.
Implementation Method 1
A separating device in the form of a baffle wall is arranged at the end of the pipe section that dips into the liquid container, on which the liquid entrained by the liquid-air mixture can separate within the liquid tank
Implementation Method 2
The liquid separates on the separation wall and is transferred to the dirty liquid tank via the discharge opening of the separation chamber
Implementation Method 3
A suction flow can then be achieved by means of the suction unit, so that dirt and water can be sucked off the hard surface through the suction mouth
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A hard surface vacuum cleaner (10) comprising a suction unit (16), a dirty liquid tank (23), a separator (40), and a suction nozzle (50). The suction nozzle (50) includes a suction inlet (70) to which a suction channel (60) is connected. The suction unit (16) can be connected to the end of the suction channel (60) opposite the suction inlet (70) to create a suction flow. The suction channel (60) has a bottom wall (82) and a top wall (83) which are connected to each other by arcuately curved side walls (84, 85). Upstream of the suction unit (60), the hard surface vacuum cleaner (10) has a separator chamber (33) which houses the separator (40) and is connected to the dirty liquid tank (23) via a drain opening (113).The rear end region of the suction channel (60) facing away from the suction mouth (70) and/or the front end region (107) of a suction line (105) connecting the suction unit (16) with the separation chamber (33) facing the suction mouth (70) are at least partially surrounded in the circumferential direction within the separation chamber (33) by at least one intermediate storage area (117,118,119) for separated liquid.