Components of Vacuum
Components of Vacuum
Components of Vacuum
Of a
Vacuum Cleaner:
JASON BURGHOUWT
ENGLISH 202C
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
Trigger
Battery
Motor
Fan
Filter
TRIGGERING THE CIRCUIT
In order for the vacuum to be operational, there must be a trigger to turn it on. Usually located at
a convenient location for the user, the switch closes a circuit at the source of power. The housing
of the vacuum includes many wires linking the switch to the source of power and the motor. The
entire circuit can be seen in Figure 1.
When the “On” button is pressed, the small conductors inside the switch will connect and the
circuit will be completed. A complete circuit will power the motor and ultimately cause suction
into the vacuum. The “Off” button breaks the circuit. When pressed, the conductors inside the
switch will no longer be in contact. Thus, the motor is no longer powered by the battery and
stops the suction into the vacuum.
The 12 volt battery, in Figure 3, uses thin slabs of metal to create a connection between
consecutive battery pods. The pods is what is inside the battery pack. Connecting wires will link
the battery pack to circuit shown in Figure 1. The purpose of the battery is to power a motor
inside the vacuum housing. Ultimately, the battery is the source of power that the vacuum needs
in order to create suction.
ROTATING THE FAN
The last component in the electrical circuit is the motor. The motor requires the switch and the
battery to work in order to be functional. An aluminum shaft is connected axially to the inside of
the motor. In Figure 4, the red and blue wire would connect the motor to the circuit. When the
circuit is completed, the motor will function and the axial shaft will rotate.
The motor is essential to the suction of the vacuum. A fan that creates the suction is connected to
the axial shaft. Therefore, the faster the shaft rotates, the more suction the vacuum will create.
The motor must be properly lubricated to reduce friction between the shaft and the housing of the
motor. The motor is the link between the electrical circuit and the fan that creates the vacuum’s
suction.
STIMULATING AIR FLOW
An axial fan is used in vacuums to create suction. As seen in Figure 5, an axial fan has precise
angles to optimize the amount of air it can displace.
The fan has an opening in the center of the blades. This opening is used to be press fitted onto
the axial shaft of the motor. The press fit creates a strong and tight connection so that the
assembly is rigid. The axial fan displaces air similar to ceiling fans or stand up fans. The fan
creates a pressure difference. In Figure 6, the air in front of the fan is at a low pressure and the
air behind the fan is at a higher pressure.
The difference in pressure causes air to flow from low pressure to high pressure. The air will
flow in through the nozzle of the vacuum, pass through the fan and out through an air outtake
vent. Before the air passes through the fan, a filter must catch particles of dirt in order to prevent
damaging the fan.
CATCHING THE PARTICLES
The bag filter inside the vacuum housing is where dirt particles and other objects get stored until
they are discarded by the user. The filter is important in catching objects before they reach the
fan or motor. Dirt and dust can ruin the effectiveness of the vacuum by causing friction in the
motor or damaging the fan blades. Also, it is easier for the user to discard the vacuumed objects
when they are placed in a single filter bag.
In Figure 7, the filter bag has a mesh lining to let air flow through easily but stops dust and dirt.
The filter is easily detached from the vacuum and can be emptied. When the vacuum picks up
too many items, the filter fills up the vacuum housing. This will make it difficult for air to flow
through the vacuum housing and diminishes the effectiveness of the vacuum.
CONCLUSION
A vacuum is a simple device to understand when broken down into its five components:
1. A switch closes a circuit to the battery pack and motor to cause a flow of electricity
4. An axial fan creates a pressure difference, which pulls air through the vacuum
5. Air flows through a filter where vacuumed objects get trapped and stored in the bag
The process is repeated every time the switch is pressed on. Each component in the vacuum is a
simple replaceable part. A vacuum is a useful household item that can clean up a variety of
particles such as dust, dirt and other small objects.
REFERENCES
Cover Photo:
Figure 2:
Figure 3:
Figure 4:
Figure 5:
Figure 7:
*Figures 1 and 6 were created using the Microsoft software program, Paint