How the vacuum cleaner works: design features and functioning of various types of vacuum cleaners

Understanding how the vacuum cleaner works, its device and the main differences between the different designs of such a technique makes it easier for a potential buyer. Indeed, its quality characteristics, consumer properties and service rules depend on the operating principle and design features of the device.

All these points have been studied by us and are described in detail in the article. The information provided will help to understand the specifics of the functioning of various types of vacuum cleaners, as well as choose the most suitable option among the variety of designs.

Device and design features

The device unit over the past hundred years has not changed much, as well as its performance. Having walked his way from an electric broom, a hand-driven machine, a pneumatic “renovator” of gas-powered carpets, the vacuum cleaner technically settled on the model of James Spangler.

A cleaner from Ohio made a revolution - created a vertical and portable apparatus from a broom, pillowcase and electric motor. Spangler's invention was marketed under the Hoover brand. A modern device inherits the same design from the electrical part, brush and dust collector.

Hoover vacuum cleaners first began to use aluminum in the manufacture of enclosures. It happened around 1923

The main components of a conventional vacuum cleaner:

1. Centrifugal compressor - creates a vacuum and pumps air.
2. Electric motor - drives the compressor.
3. Air purifier - separates dust from air, collects it in special containers.
4. Set of nozzles and brushes for different purposes.

The body of the device itself is made of durable plastic. An engine, compressor, dust collector, filters, control unit are built inside it.

The standard household design of the vacuum cleaner is equipped with a flexible air hose, extension tube.The exception is small-sized manual models and devices where the compressor is built into the tube with a nozzle or brush.

The device of any vacuum cleaner also has a three-level filtration system through which intake air is passed. It consists of a main, motor part and a fine filter (sometimes a container of water serves as a filter)

In order to expand the scope of application, manufacturers complete the devices with different nozzles.

Universal is always present in this set. It is intended for cleaning flat horizontal surfaces, carpets. The design includes switches, rollers for maneuverability, brushes with different bristles.

It is convenient to clean hard-to-reach places (corners, gaps, gaps between the wall and furniture) with the slotted nozzle. There are also 2-in-1 collapsible structures - universal plus a removable surface with a pile

Turbo brushes represent a separate variety, the structure of which allows you to collect wool and hair from carpets. Relatively recently appeared electric brushes, cylindrical rollers, nozzles for parquet, metal debris, cleaning siphons and others.

How do different types of devices work?

All vacuum cleaners perform one function - cleaning. Why are apparatuses invented and manufactured for a single purpose so different from each other in shape, size, principle of operation?

At the first acquaintance with the device, the location of the dust collector, the number of wheels, the material from which the hoses are made, does not seem important. Understanding the significance of every detail comes during operation.

We will analyze the design features and the principle of operation of devices depending on the types of dust collector and the functionality of the devices.

Vacuum cleaner with bag or container

Schematically, the principle of operation of this device can be represented as follows. Through the nozzle and hose, air filled with dust enters the device, namely, into a dust collector - a bag or cyclone filter.

In a vacuum cleaner with a container, garbage does not first enter the bag, but into a special centrifuge tank, where large fractions are delayed

Further, one part of the dirt remains in the tank, the other through the pores and vortex flows of the drive moves towards the motor. To protect it, a coarse filter was invented.

But it is not perfect - dirt travels to the exit and comes to the fine filter (HEPA).

Compact vertical units

A feature of this design in the absence of a hose. It sometimes comes in the kit and can be used to perform individual manipulations. The role of the main dust absorber goes to the brush - turbo or “knocker”.

Modern vertical devices can pair with smartphones, so the owner can programmatically adjust the suction power, see how many kilometers the home assistant and other information have passed

The engine and dust collector in the device are located in the pipe - the unit body. The motor does not so much create a suction force as it rotates the brush shaft. Garbage at the same time as if "swept" in a dust collector.

AT vertical models there is also a suction module. But it is involved in the work when the device is used as horizontal.

Water Filtered Design

In vacuum cleaners with an aquafilter, there is a different way to clean the incoming air, hence the structural features. The device is outwardly similar to the conventional container type of vacuum cleaner - it includes a nozzle and a hose from which debris enters the dust collector-aquafilter.

But the latter is made in the form of a flask with water. The idea of ​​engineers is to trash and dirt drown under the influence of vortex flows.

What creates these threads? Turbine or separator rotating inside the bulb. This visible part of the engine spins dust and creates high pressure. The latter "captures" the particles, regardless of size, immerses them in water and does not give them a chance to get out of there.

In such devices, the shape of the turbine and its rotation speed are important.Manufacturers still have to add filters to insufficiently thought-out designs from the technical side. Approval applies to low cost separator models.

In a device with a Krausen water filter, dust is transferred through the pipe (1) to the water filter (2), then the separator (3) creates water-vortex flows (4) and reaches the ideal air purification coefficient (5)

These vacuum cleaners can not be called completely filterless, because a protective filter for the engine is present in them. It was possible to get rid of it only by German engineers who "sewed up" the motor into a capsule made of stainless steel. The motor in this case is reliably closed from dust and wet dirt.

Sophisticated built-in modifications

These devices are not portable and for the most part are mounted inside the walls. Their nozzles and hoses are not connected to the vacuum cleaner body, but are inserted into pneumatic sockets located throughout the zone of the intended operation of the device.

Built-in vacuum cleaners are not common in everyday life due to the need to use long hoses, which makes it difficult to comprehensively clean the premises

A complex chain of air ducts is arranged in the walls, through which the collected garbage is sent to a common dust collector. The latter is located in the utility rooms or in the basement, if any.

The unit itself includes both the engine and filters. The power plant is also often located in utility rooms.

Features of washing machine models

The main structural difference between washing machines and models with a bag and a container is the presence of a tank for clean and dirty water. Small and large fractions of dirt drown in such a container.

The main advantage of such a tank is that the owner does not have to breathe dust while emptying the tank.

The design of the washing vacuum cleaner has an additional reservoir for water and detergent, a pump, fluid supply channels integrated into hoses and tubes

But in construction washing vacuum cleaners protection of the motor from moisture is also provided, which significantly increases the cost of the vacuum cleaner. And on the HEPA filter, moist dirt accumulates, which creates a breeding ground for many bacteria.

There are washing vacuums with a steam generator. This device allows you to clean the surface with steam without the use of chemicals.

High tech robotic vacuum cleaners

Robotic vacuum cleaners appeared only about 10 years ago. Their designs are constantly updated and improved. Devices are created according to the block scheme. This ensures ease of maintenance and ease of replacement of parts during repair.

Common elements of a robot vacuum cleaner, which are in all models:

• side brush;
• block module;
• charging base;
• sensors for detecting obstacles, contamination, elevation.

The operation of such a device is based on a cleaning unit, navigation, driving mechanisms and a battery device.

Gadget navigation systems

The ultra-modern navigation system consists of a laser, a camera, internal and external sensors. The camera reads a map of the room. Rangefinder lasers give her information about the presence of objects in the room, the distances between them.

The device moves in straight lines both during cleaning and in the process of returning to the base.

Vacuum cleaning robots do not yet know how to descend stairs and overcome high thresholds. Developers are trying to eliminate this defect of gadgets by inventing new models

Models are still on sale, the principle of which is based only on sensors. They are located on the inside and inside of the device.

With their help, the robot navigates in space and adjusts its work, as well as notices the most polluted areas and is more careful in cleaning them.

Magnetic tape can also be used in robot navigation. It creates a virtual barrier, beyond which the apparatus does not move. If the cleaner is equipped with a camera, it reads readings from the ceiling and walls.

The cleaning process

Here the models differ in cleaning types - for dry cleaning and washing robots. In the former, the side brush picks up all the dirt and directs it to the central brush. Central has a fleecy surface and is able to collect hair, wool.

The design of the front brush of the robot is installed with an inclination inside the device, and the side has flexible wiring, which ensures thorough collection of garbage

Further, these two parts send garbage to a dust collector, where it is pressed by air currents. And the air passes through the filters out.

Depending on the manufacturer, the design of robots differs in the following nuances:

1. Basic brushes. In most models, there are two of them - fleecy and rubber. They work in pairs. Some devices are equipped only with rubber.
2. Side brushes. There are devices in which an additional side brush is mounted.
3. Filters. Robots are equipped with both standard "napkins" and multi-layer HEPA.
4. Container + engine power. The garbage collection tank can have a volume of 0.4 to 1 liter. The power of such devices is 40-65 watts. If the first digits are important during operation, the second ones are insignificant due to the small range.

The main consumer detail of robotic vacuum cleaners is the main brush. It depends on it the quality of cleaning, and not on the engine, as in conventional units.

The wet vacuum cleaner has in its design a system of a water tank and a sprayer. He knows how to collect garbage, spray liquid, rub the floor and collect dirty water back into the tank.

There are robot models designed for mixed cleaning. The principle of their work is to clean smooth surfaces with a rag, and carpet - with main brushes.

Return to base

The final stage of the work of the robot is its return to the mother base. The device is powered by batteries. If they discharge, the device turns off.

There are robots with a program that leaves the device at the place of cleaning, and the user is forced to return to the base

The device independently responds to a low percentage of charge. Using a special sensor, he detects an infrared ray from the base and begins to move towards it. As soon as it finds, it docked with it and charged.

Design details and quality of cleaning

Some design features of the device affect the quality of cleaning and ease of use. For example, a hose. It should be of sufficient diameter (at least 5 cm) so that it often does not clog.

The length of the flexible hose is important - the longer this accessory, the more convenient it is to clean. Especially in rooms of 15 sq.m. and more. The length of 2.5 m is needed for cleaning high furniture and ceilings

The strength of the material is also important, otherwise the part will crack, which will reduce the suction force.

In addition to the main components, the quality of the device is also influenced by seals, bushings, bearings. If the joints are made of fluoropolymers, this ensures their tightness.

Fluoroplastic and polyamide bushings and bearings extend the life of the moving parts of the device.

For more information about different types of vacuum cleaners, as well as tips on choosing the right unit, see this article.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Analysis of the design and principle of operation of the vacuum cleaner with pressure sensors and two electric motors - in the brush and body of the device.

On the examples of several designs of vacuum cleaners it is clearly seen that, regardless of the variety, they all equally serve as "dust cleaners". Their effectiveness depends on the filtration system, engine power, the availability of various nozzles.

And which vacuum cleaner did you choose for your home or apartment? Please tell us why you gave preference to a particular model, whether you are satisfied with the work of the acquired equipment. Add reviews, comments and ask questions - the contact form is below.