Wet-dry vacuum cleaner device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wet-dry vacuum cleaners face issues where liquid from the dirty air flow can contaminate the motor fan assembly when the interior chamber for holding dirty liquid becomes full or when the device is tilted or rotated, leading to potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A wet-dry vacuum cleaner design featuring a tank with a liquid trap system that includes multiple inlet conduits and a filter, which captures liquid entrained in the air flow before it reaches the motor fan assembly, preventing contamination and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tank is added to capture liquid, then liquid capture capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid trap is nested inside the tank, with the liquid trap inlet positioned within the tank interior. This nested configuration allows the liquid trap to be integrated into the existing tank structure, capturing liquid entrained in the air flow without requiring a completely separate external liquid capture system, thereby improving liquid capture capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple inlet conduits are added to the liquid trap, then liquid capture effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid trap inlet is divided into multiple inlet conduits that are laterally offset from each other and project into the tank. This segmentation allows the liquid trap to capture liquid entrained in the air flow from multiple locations and directions simultaneously, improving liquid capture effectiveness. The multiple conduits are integrated into the liquid trap structure rather than being separate components, which helps manage device complexity.
3Productivity
If the tank outlet is positioned to communicate with the motor fan assembly, then air flow efficiency is improved, but risk of liquid contamination to motor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid trap is positioned as an intermediary component between the tank outlet and the motor fan assembly. The tank outlet communicates with the liquid trap, which then communicates with the motor fan assembly. This intermediary liquid trap captures liquid entrained in the air flow exiting the tank before the air flow reaches the motor fan assembly, thereby maintaining air flow efficiency while preventing liquid contamination of the motor.
4Volume of moving object
If the liquid trap is mounted inside the tank, then space utilization is improved, but accessibility for maintenance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid trap is designed as a separable component that can be removed from the tank for maintenance. The liquid trap inlet and associated components are configured to allow the liquid trap to be detached from the tank interior, enabling users to access and maintain the liquid trap without requiring complete disassembly of the tank or device. This segmented design maintains space utilization when assembled while improving accessibility for maintenance.
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 liquid trap system effectively captures and retains liquid, preventing it from entering the motor fan assembly, thus protecting the device and maintaining its functionality even when the tank is full or during vigorous use.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid trap mounted inside the tank arranged to capture liquid entrained in the air flow exiting the tank
Implementation Method 2
The airflow path may follow a serpentine path through the liquid trap
Data Source
AI summary
A wet-dry vacuum cleaner device comprising: a housing; a motor-fan assembly mounted in the housing and arranged to generate an air flow between a dirty air inlet and a clean air outlet; a tank arranged to capture liquid entrained in the dirty air flow, the tank comprising a tank inlet in fluid communication with the dirty air inlet and a tank outlet in fluid communication with the motor fan assembly; wherein the tank outlet is in fluid communication with a liquid trap mounted inside the tank arranged to capture liquid entrained in the air flow exiting the tank.