Wet cleaning apparatus and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wet vacuum cleaners face inefficiencies in separating water and dirt particles from airflow due to re-entrainment issues, where high air velocities at the outer regions of separation units cause water and dirt to mix with air again, deteriorating separation efficiency and disturbing airflow.
Innovation Solution
A wet vacuum cleaner design featuring a separator unit with a flow path member that changes airflow direction to separate water and dirt particles, utilizing an outlet member to guide and accumulate them towards a collection volume while directing separated air through a distinct second flow path, minimizing re-entrainment by spatially separating the air and liquid flows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the flow path member changes direction of airflow to separate water and dirt particles, then separation efficiency is improved, but high air velocities at outer regions cause re-entrainment of separated particles
Solution Approach 1:
The separator unit is divided into distinct functional zones: an inner region for particle separation and collection, and an outer region for airflow passage. The outlet member creates a first flow path for separated particles toward the collection volume and a second flow path for air toward the air passage, spatially segregating these flows to prevent re-entrainment while maintaining separation efficiency.
2Productivity
If air velocities are increased to improve cleaning performance, then productivity is improved, but separated water and dirt mix with air again
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the separator unit are designed with different flow characteristics: the inner region maintains controlled velocities for effective separation, while the outlet member directs high-velocity air flow through a separate path that does not contact the collected particles. This local differentiation allows high overall productivity without compromising separation efficiency.
3Manufacturing precision
If the outlet member guides and accumulates separated particles toward the collection volume, then separation efficiency is improved, but the airflow path may be disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet member creates two distinct and separated flow paths: a first flow path that guides particles to the collection volume and a second flow path that directs air to the air passage. This segmentation ensures that the particle transport mechanism does not interfere with airflow stability, maintaining both separation efficiency and airflow continuity.
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 concentrates separated water and dirt particles in the collection volume while ensuring dry air passes through a separate pathway, enhancing separation efficiency and preventing re-entrainment, thus improving the overall cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
By guiding the mixture through a geometry that forces it to change direction, liquid and solid will be spread outwardly because of centrifugal forces
Implementation Method 2
the outlet member is arranged to guide and accumulate the separated water and/or dirt particles towards a region at the opening from which the separated water and/or dirt particles flow towards the collection volume
Implementation Method 3
a second flow path being defined between the opening and the air passage, which second flow path is directed away from the first flow path
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Provided is a wet cleaning apparatus (10), such as a wet vacuum cleaner, which uses a separator unit (18) for separating liquid and particles from a flow of air, e.g. a suction flow. The separator unit comprises a flow path member (36) and an outlet member (38) which adjoins or substantially adjoins the flow path member, and extends from the flow path member. The flow path member changes the flow direction of the flow of air such that any water and/or dirt particles entrained in the air are thrown against an interior surface portion (36A) of the flow path member. In this way, such water and/or dirt particles are separated from the flow of air. The outlet member has an opening to which the separated water and/or dirt particles are guided. The outlet member is arranged, when the apparatus is orientated for use, to guide and accumulate the separated water and/or dirt particles towards a region (52) at the opening. The separated water and/or dirt particles flow from the region towards a collection volume (28) along a first flow path (39). The air separated from the water and/or dirt particles is directed towards an air passage (22) which is spaced apart from the outlet member and the collection volume. A second flow path (32A) is provided for the separated air between the opening of the outlet member and the air passage, which second flow path is directed away from the first flow path. This assists to minimise or prevent re-entrainment of the water and/or dirt particles in the flow of air. Further provided is a method of separating water and/or dirt particles from a flow of air.