Wet Cleaner Container Wall Layout for Tilted Water Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wet vacuum cleaners face challenges in separating liquid from airflow during tilting, which can lead to re-entrainment of water into the motor, compromising its reliability, especially when cleaning under furniture.
Innovation Solution
A wet cleaning apparatus design featuring a container with an internal wall and a water directing member that prevents water from entering the air passage, even when tilted, using a spatially separated air passage and a water directing member to dissipate wave energy and inhibit water droplets from reaching the airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the container is tilted to enable cleaning under furniture, then the adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but water collected in the container becomes re-entrained in the separated airflow, causing harmful effects to the motor
Solution Approach 1:
The container interior is segmented into two distinct spaces by an internal wall: a first space for receiving water during normal operation and a second space that remains water-free to protect the air passage and motor. This segmentation ensures that even when tilted, water remains confined to the first space and cannot reach the air passage or motor components.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal wall acts as an intermediary barrier between the water collection area and the air passage. It physically separates the water-containing space from the air flow path, preventing direct contact and re-entrainment of water droplets into the airflow that would otherwise reach the motor.
2Ease of operation
If the container is tilted for cleaning under furniture, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of the motor deteriorates due to water ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into functionally separate zones: a water reception zone (first space) and a protected air passage zone (second space). The internal wall creates this segmentation, ensuring that tilting operations do not compromise motor protection while maintaining ease of operation for under-furniture cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal wall extends vertically from the bottom surface toward the top surface of the container, creating a three-dimensional separation that maintains protection across different tilt angles. This vertical dimensioning ensures water cannot bypass the barrier even when the container is tilted horizontally.
3Device complexity
If a traditional separator unit is used without internal wall segmentation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the separation performance deteriorates during tilting operations
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing an internal wall that segments the container interior into water-receiving and air-passage spaces, the design maintains relatively simple overall structure while significantly improving separation performance during tilting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal wall configuration allows the container to dynamically adapt to different operational orientations. During tilting, gravity causes water to settle in the first space away from the air passage, while the internal wall ensures this separation is maintained regardless of container orientation.
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 design effectively prevents water from entering the air passage, protecting the motor from damage and ensuring reliable operation during tilting, allowing for efficient cleaning under furniture without compromising the apparatus's performance.
Implementation Method 1
a separator unit for separating water from a flow of air generated by the suction
Implementation Method 2
water collected at the bottom of container being receivable in the space when the container is orientated such that the collected water moves from the bottom towards the top of the container
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
Provided is a wet cleaning apparatus (10), such as a wet vacuum cleaner. The wet cleaning apparatus comprises a dirt inlet (11), and a motor (14) and fan (16) for delivering suction to the dirt inlet. A separator unit (18) separates water from a flow of air generated by the suction. The apparatus further includes a container (19) for collecting the separated water. The container has a top (19A) and a bottom (19B). An air passage (22) is provided in the container for passing the air separated from the water towards the motor and fan. The air passage is spatially separated from the bottom of the container. An internal wall (19E) extends from the top towards the bottom of the container. A space (25) is thus defined between the container and the internal wall. Water collected at the bottom of container is receivable in the space when the container is orientated, e.g. tilted, such that the collected water moves from the bottom towards the top of the container. The internal wall is arranged to prevent water received in the space from passing into the air passage.