Surface cleaning appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaning devices face challenges in effectively separating liquid from the suctioned liquid-air mixture, especially when operated at non-uniform speeds or overhead, leading to potential re-entrainment of separated liquid into the air outlet channel due to inertial forces and foam formation.
Innovation Solution
A surface cleaning device with a separation unit featuring an inner and outer tube, where the inlet and air outlet channels are aligned parallel and separated by a partition, forming an annular space that creates an air vortex to enhance separation, and a flow deflection element that directs the liquid-air mixture to ensure reliable separation regardless of device orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional separation devices with multiple flow deflection elements are used, then liquid separation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet channel is nested within the inner tube, and the air outlet channel is nested within the inner tube as well. The inner tube is nested within the outer tube, creating a compact multi-channel structure. This nesting arrangement allows multiple separation functions to be integrated in a single compact device, improving liquid separation reliability while controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional single-channel or two-channel designs to a three-channel configuration where the inlet channel and air outlet channel are separated in three-dimensional space within the nested tube structure. This spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions enables effective liquid-air separation while maintaining a compact overall device size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the surface cleaning device is operated at non-uniform speeds or overhead, then cleaning versatility is improved, but liquid separation reliability deteriorates due to inertial forces
Solution Approach 1:
The separation device creates localized regions with different flow characteristics: the inlet channel handles high-velocity liquid-air mixture, the annular space provides a transition zone, and the air outlet channel delivers separated air. This local differentiation of flow conditions ensures that even when subjected to external disturbances from non-uniform operation, each channel maintains its separation function, preserving reliability while allowing cleaning versatility.
3Productivity
If foam formation occurs during operation, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but liquid separation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The separation device segments the liquid-air-foam mixture into distinct flow paths: the inlet channel receives the mixture, the annular space allows foam to collapse and separate, and the air outlet channel delivers separated air. This segmentation of the separation process into distinct stages enables effective handling of foamy mixtures while maintaining reliable liquid-air separation, thus preserving both cleaning effectiveness and separation reliability.
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 ensures position-independent liquid separation, preventing liquid re-entrainment into the air outlet channel, even during abrupt changes in speed and direction, and minimizes the impact of foam formation, ensuring efficient collection of liquid in the tank without releasing air into the environment.
Implementation Method 1
The annular space forms a vortex chamber so that the extracted air can form an air vortex in the annular space
Implementation Method 2
at least a large part of the extracted liquid hits the flow deflection elements and is deposited on them
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a surface cleaning device (10) comprising a suction assembly (22) for forming a suction flow, and comprising a suction nozzle (14) fluidically connected to the suction assembly (22) for suctioning a liquid-air mixture, and comprising a separation device (44) for separating liquid out of the suctioned liquid-air mixture, and comprising a liquid tank (42) for receiving the separated liquid, wherein the separation device (44) has an inlet channel (60) for the suctioned liquid-air mixture, at least one flow deflection element (70) for deflecting the liquid-air mixture, and an air outlet channel (62) for providing the suctioned air to the suction assembly (22). In order to guarantee a separation of liquid that is as location-independent as possible, the separation device (44) has a separation unit (52) with an inner tube (54) and an outer tube (56) surrounding the inner tube (54) in the peripheral direction with the formation of an annular space (82), wherein the inlet channel (60) and the air outlet channel (62) are arranged in the inner tube (54) and the annular space (82) is arranged downstream of the at least one flow deflection element (70) relative to the suction flow and forms a turbulence chamber.