Wet Vacuum Water Separator Layout for Tilted Cleaning Reliability
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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 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 may become re-entrained in the airflow and pass towards the motor, worsening the reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The container interior is segmented into two distinct spaces by the internal wall: a first space for receiving water when the container is tilted, and a second space containing the air passage. This segmentation prevents water from the first space from entering the air passage and reaching the motor, while still allowing the container to be tilted for cleaning under furniture.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal wall acts as an intermediary barrier between the water-collecting region and the air passage. It intercepts water that would otherwise follow the airflow path towards the motor, redirecting it to a safe containment area while allowing air to pass through the air passage to the motor.
2Device complexity
If the air passage is positioned close to the bottom of the container for compact design, then the device complexity is reduced, but water may more easily enter the air passage during tilting, worsening the reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The internal wall creates a spatial segmentation that separates the water collection zone from the air passage zone. Even though the air passage remains positioned near the bottom for compactness, the internal wall ensures that water in the tilted position is directed away from the air passage entrance, maintaining both compact design and motor protection.
3Productivity
If the separator unit allows efficient separation of water from airflow, then the productivity is improved, but during tilting water may be re-entrained and pass towards the motor, worsening the reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The internal wall segments the container interior to create a dedicated water containment space that is spatially separated from the air passage. This ensures that even when the separator unit efficiently separates water from airflow during normal operation, any water that moves toward the top during tilting is caught by the internal wall and directed into the containment space, preventing it from re-entering the airflow path toward the motor.
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
It is known to use labyrinth-type, filter-type or cyclone-type separator units to separate liquid and moist dirt from the airflow
Implementation Method 3
an internal wall extending from the top towards the bottom of the container... the internal wall is arranged to prevent water received in the space from passing into the air passage
Implementation Method 4
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
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.