Vacuum Cleaner

DEFINITION :

The vacuum cleaner is one of the best inventions ever when it comes to saving time and
cleaning. Even so, a lot of households do not use it to its most effect levels. People fail to
realize that a vacuum can be used for many things other than just vacuuming the floor.
Most modern vacuums come with many nozzles and attachments that can be used for
clearing dust and dirt from different home surfaces.

Vacuum Cleaners Supplied With Attachments For a Variety of Cleaning Jobs

Vacuum cleaners usually come with a small brush for dusting, a small nozzle attachement
for furniture and stairs. There is usually also a crevice tool included for those annoying,
tiny corners that you cant get with just a vacuum alone. Cylinder vacuums usually come
with an attachement for floors also. This features a brush edge that remains inside the
attachment when carpets are being vacuumed, but is dropped into position when the
surface being cleaned changes to hard flooring.

Upright vacums contain a fixed head which is used to clean floors. These days, the
attachment of other tools to an upright is typically done with a hose which can be inhinged
from the central frame of the cleaner.

Both varieties of vacuum normally give the option of a turbo tool, which encloses a
spinning brush and is used to remove pet fibers and other refuse from carpets and
upholstery.

Remember, once the dust is extracted into a vacuum cleaner it remains inside. Dusting with
a dry cloth will take away furniture , but most of it will end up airborn and settle back
again quickly.

Main Components

At a first glance, a vacuum may seem much

more complicated than it actually is.
However, a conventional vacuum is made
up of only fiveessential parts:

1. The Outer Housing

2. The Motor
3. The Impeller
4. The Intake Port
5. The Collection Bag/Filter
Figure 1to the right shows some of the main components of a conventional vacuum
cleaner.

The Outer Housing

Before the internal components of a conventional vacuum are discussed, it is important to

recognize the importance of the outer housing. The outer housing of a conventional
vacuum cleaner serves one main function, which is simply to hold each of the inner
components in place. Each of the inner components is mounted to the housing to provide
support and stability while also protecting them from the outside environment. Without an
outer housing, there would be no vacuum to speak of.

The Motor

The first internal mechanical process of a vacuum cleaner begins with the motor. When the
vacuum cleaner is plugged in, an electric current is used to drive the motor. Although many
motors can seem complex and hold many functions, the motor inside a vacuum cleaner is
fairly simple and serves one main function. That function is to turn a driveshaft (a sturdy
metal rod typically made out of a steel alloy) that drives the impeller. Without the motor,
the impeller could not rotate, thus no suction could be drawn, and ultimately the vacuum
would not work.

The Impeller

As the motor spins the driveshaft, the driveshaft

subsequently rotates the impeller (a small disc resembling
a fan) at high speeds, typically ranging from 400 to 600
RPM. For any common household vacuum, an impelleris
used to generate suction. An impeller consists of a circular
plastic base containing a series of fan blades stemming
from the middle and receding outward towards the edge. A
small hole is cut in the center of the impeller to allow for
the driveshaft to connect it the motor. The main function
of the impeller is to provide suction to the vacuum. This is
achieved by spinning the blades at a high speed, causing a
difference in pressure above and below the impeller.
Spinning the impeller causes a pressure drop (a decrease in pressure from a point upstream
to another point downstream) immediately above it, and since air always wants to flow
from high to low pressure, the air just below the impeller begins to flow upwards. This
flow of air makes it possible for the dirt and dust to be lifted from the floor into the
vacuum.

Figure 2 shows an impeller commonly used in conventional vacuums.

The Intake Port

As the motor spins the impeller to create suction, air along with the surrounding dirt and
dust is forced into the intake port. The intake port is the space which allows dirt and air
from a surface to enter the machine. The main function of the intake port is to physically
remove the dirt or dust from the surface of the floor. It usually consists of adjustable
attachments such as a hard floor brush, a nozzle, or crevice tool. These attachments provide
additional velocity to the air that is sucked, allowing the vacuum to pick up heavier and
larger volumes of particles that may be lodged inside a carpet or deep inside a crevice
(under a refrigerator, behind a bookshelf, etc.). As the dirt particles are sucked in through
intake port, they are subsequently brought up through the impeller where they are
deposited in a collection chamber.

The Collection Bag/Filtration System

The last stage of the vacuuming process

ends with the collection bag. The
collection bag is the easiest aspect to
understand when it comes to
understanding how a vacuum functions
yet many people dont fully understand
the importance and purpose of it. The
collection bags primary function is to
store all of the dirt and dust particles that
have been swept through the impeller into
the vacuum to be disposed when it is full.
What most people dont know is that
what really makes the collection bag
special is its material properties. These
bags are made of porous woven material,
typically cloth or paper, which acts as an
air filter (a device for preventing dust and
dirt from re-entering the outside atmosphere). The tiny holes in the bag are large enough to
let air particles pass by, but too small for most dirt particles to fit through. Thus, when the
air current streams into the bag, all of the air moves on through the material, but the dirt
and debris collect in the bag. It is very important that the dirt be separated from the air, for
if the air could not escape the collection bag then no air could flow through the vacuum at
all.With no air flow, the vacuum would fail to pick up even the smallest particle of dirt. For
some vacuums the collection bag is disposed of and replaced when completely full. Other
vacuums allow the collection bag to be cleaned out and reused.

Figure 3 shows a common collection bag for a conventional vacuum cleaner.

FUNCTION :

1. Cleaning Made Easier

Cleaning any type of spillage is easier and more convenient when using these types of
vacuum cleaners. They make it much easier to pick up dirt of various kinds and even
liquids.

2. Portability
Handheld vacuum cleaners are very portable and this makes them beneficial to use for
various small jobs and in various places. Furthermore, if they have the wet-dry function,
they are even more beneficial as they can be carried around anywhere to clean up both wet
and dry spillages, since as long as they are charged they do not need an electricity source.
3. Filtration Possibilities
These types of handheld vacuum cleaners have the advantage of providing the possibility
of filtering the dirt particles they suck up. This is also more feasible and beneficial thanks
to the wet or dry vacuuming options.

4. Suction Power
Handheld wet dry vacuum cleaners usually have a higher suction power which makes them
ideal for cleaning up both wet and dry spills. The suction power is even greater, since
liquid spillages need more power and strength to be sucked up well.

5. Easier to Clean
These vacuum cleaners are relatively easier to clean since very often they do not include
bags or sacks which have to be emptied and disposed of. If you clean the filter each time
you use your wet-dry vacuum cleaner, you will be protecting your vacuum from any
caked-on dust and it will extend its life considerably.

6. Helpful Accessories, Functions and Tools

Most vacuum cleaners incorporate similar accessories and tools. However, most models of
wet-dry vacuum cleaners have better squeegees, motorized brushes and moreextendible
crevice tools. This makes these vacuum cleanersmore handy and ideal for cleaning
restricted places, stairs, cars, between cushions, corners and grooves. Since they even
manage to pick up wet spills, their squeegees are usually of a better quality. Wet-dry
vacuum cleaners are ideal for cleaning both floors and carpets, and manage to collect very
small particles ranging from dust, pets hair, crumbs and other spillages, including liquid
spills. These wet-dry vacuum cleaners all incorporate an automatic shut-down device
which has the ability to regulate the sucking of the vacuumcleaner once a certain level of
liquid sucked up is reached, which makes the vacuum cleaner quite full and hence requires
disposal. The nozzle of such vacuum cleaners is usually much wider in order to enable a
quicker sucking action since it can cover a larger area. This is especially beneficial when
cleaning liquid spillages.

7. Various Sizes Available

The power of wet-dry handheld vacuum cleaners varies, although most models are very
powerful when compared to normal handheld vacuum cleaners, since these have to be able
to suck up liquid spills as well. The power is also affected by the actual size of the
vacuum cleaner, and in order to meet customers different requirements moreeffectively,
there are various sizes of handheld wet-dry vacuum cleaners available on the market. The
issue of portability and weight comes into play here, but even small vacuum cleaners are
rather strong when they are of the wet-dry range. For larger scale jobs and for businesses,
such vacuum cleaners are available at an even greater power and are consequently slightly
larger.
When considering these advantages it can be ascertained that it is a good idea to purchase
one of these vacuum cleaners as they make cleaning easier, amongst other benefits.

HOW TO OPERATE :

1. Do a spot check of the area of the vacuum where it retains dirt. In vacuums that are not
new, tit will have a bag instead of canister. In new ones it is usually a removable
canister. IIf it is filled to capacity, you will need to replace the bag; if it is a reusable
container it should be cleaned as often as possible to prevent avoid loss of suction. If
the retaining area is full the vacuum wont be able to suction dirt properly.

2. Have a look at the height of the vacuum. Most vacuums will contain a tractable
indicator for carpets of varying degrees in length. If your vacuum has one, make sure it
is set to the proper grid for your carpet. If it is set too high it will not allow suction and
if it is set to low it wont allow proper airflow.

3. Relocate little items out of the way of the vacuum. Even if you dont plan to move the
furniture when you vacuum, such as chairs and end tables, you can easily remove
smaller items that could get in the way of the vaccum.

4. Turn the vacuum on and propel the vacuum back and forward in motion in even, slow
movements. If you move the vacuum too fast you will not get a thorough cleaning.

5. Work with the attachments, like the hose with convertible ends, to clean crevices and
the bottom edges of furniture. Most vacuums have several types of attachments for
these types of tasks. This is helpful in preventing the dust from becoming airborne
again and ending back up where it was to start with.

Keep your cord wrapped when not in use to prevent fraying of wires

Keep a check on the plug as a damaged plug can cause damage and fire hazards

Maintain and wash your filter to prevent loss of suction.

HOW TO THREATH :

1. Check the bag each time you vacuum, and change it when it is full, or torn. A clean,
intact bag allows for good airflow and prevents dust particles from being released into
the air. (If you use a bagless vacuumcleaner, be sure to empty the dust compartment
every time you vacuum.)
2. Clean or change the vacuum cleaner filters as recommended by the manufacturer.
Clogged filters will reduce the cleaning efficiency of the vacuum cleaner. Use high-
efficiency bags or filters, when possible, to capture fine dust.

3. Change the belt every three months to a year, even if it isnt broken. A loose or worn
belt will not propel the brushroll effectively. Exception: sprocketed belts made
of more durable material (similar to the timing belt on a car) and which need changing
only every year or two.

4. Inspect brushes for signs of wear, keep the brushroll free of strings, and ensure that it
moves freely. Dirt and grime can accumulate on the bearings, which impedes
movement and puts excessive strain on the motor. Brushrolls are relatively easy to
replace and make a real difference in cleaning results.

5. Have cords or plugs inspected by a qualified repair shop as soon as you notice any
signs of damage, and have the overall unit checked if you ever smell burning. Never
leave a vacuum cleaner plugged in when it isnt in use.

6. Unravel any twists in the cord as you wrap it up. While this task may seem onerous at
first, its a snap to do once it becomes a habit.

7. Occasionally wipe the inner and outer casing with a slightly damp cloth (or vacuum
with a second vacuum cleaner) and wash attachments in a mild solution
of soap and water.

8. Resist the temptation to vacuum up large or metal objects, which can damage the fan
assembly or motor. (A magnetic strip placed in front of the brushroll can help.)

9. Never vacuum over a wet carpet or mat. Besides creating an electrical shock hazard,
moisture in the hose or bag provides a nice habitat for mold and odor-causing bacteria.

10. Have your vacuum serviced every year or two youll protect your investment and
enjoy using a vacuum cleaner that works as well as it did the day you brought it home.

HOW TO REPAIR :

1. Examine the vacuum cleaner and determine what sort of thing is wrong. Is it not
turning on? Is it not staying on? Is it vacuuming weakly or unevenly? Is it leaving fuzz
or other debris behind? Is it tripping a circuit breaker? Is it producing a noise or an
odor as it runs?

2. Verify that your vacuum cleaner is plugged in and turned on, and that the
electrical outlet has power flowing to it. If you don't have a circuit tester, try plugging
in a lamp or radio that you know works. Yes, it's obvious, but without electricity, your
vacuum cleaner isn't going to get any work done.

3. Check for an over-temperature feature. Some vacuum cleaners have a device that
stops the machine if it overheats. If your vacuum cleaner cuts out, unplug it, check your
 manual and wait for a period of time (perhaps 20 or 30 minutes). Then, check for
obstructions or other problems, and carefully turn it on again.
Note that vacuums sometimes have a small in-line thermal fuse that's almost hidden
between the switch lead and the coil of the motor. It's not easily noticed and has
tape covering it. A common type is a SEFuse SF109e available for about $1-2 (US)
each on line.

4. Make sure you have done everything in Maintain a Vacuum Cleaner. If the
machine operates but functions weakly (poor suction), or if the vacuum cleaner is
leaving debris behind, or if you smell dust or a general burning sort of odor. Then
check the vacuum cleaner again. If it functions satisfactorily, there is no need to
proceed past this level.
Replace the bag and clean all filters.
Make sure the airways are clean. Clear any clogs in the hose using a broom handle
or a bent coat hanger wire. Be careful not to pack clogs further in or punch through
the hose with the wire.
Replace the belt(s). Make sure the belts are engaging the brush roll, the drive shaft,
and any other moving parts, such as power-drive rollers. A slipping belt may
produce a distinct odor, that of hot rubber and/or plastic.
Clean the brush roll and make sure it is spinning freely. Lubricate the bearings.
Replace the bearings or the entire brush roll, if necessary. Brush rolls may be made
out of wood, especially in older models, or out of plastic in newer models.

5. Check to make sure that the brush roll is actually spinning when it should be.One
way is to turn on the vacuum cleaner and carefully look underneath. Never touch the
spinning brush roll, and be sure to keep loose clothing, hair, etc. clear.
Some vacuum cleaners have an idler or switch that disengages the brush roll when
the handle is up or when a switch is set for hard floors. Make sure that the switch is
set for carpeting and that the idler engages when the handle is down.

6. Follow the electrical path, especially if the vacuum doesn't turn on at all. Use
amultimeter to check continuity. You are looking for open circuits. Clean the contacts
and replace any segment of this path that lacks continuity. Be certain to use the correct
fuse. Reset the breaker(s).
From the plug to just before the switch.
Across the switch when the switch is closed (in the 'on' position).
Across any fuses or breakers built in to the vacuum.
From the switch to the motor.
Back along the other wire from the motor to the outlet. Remember that electricity
must travel in a full circuit.
Across any electrical connections made on the hose.
The connection between the cord and the rest of the unit if there is a spring-loaded
cord re-winder. Because it moves, this can be a point of failure.

7. Look for reasons that any fuses you replace or breakers you reset have gone out. Is
there a short circuit somewhere? Is the motor going out? Correct any problems you
find.
8. Inspect the motor for proper operation. It may not be economical to replace the
entire motor (it can cost as much as a new vacuum cleaner), but you may be able to
service certain parts of it.

9. Inspect the brushes. If they are worn, replace them.

Pry open the brush housing.
Remove and replace the brushes, making sure to reconnect the electrical wires as
you found them and re-close the brush housing.

10. Replace the bearings or apply fresh lubrication. There are bearings for the motor
and blower (often connected). There may also be bearings for the drive shaft and any
powered drive wheels. Look anywhere that something is spinning (or should be).
Before dismantling the motor or removing the blower, see if there is any side-to-
side play in the shaft. If there is, it is a pretty good clue that the bearings are shot.
11. Inspect the blower for bent or broken fins. Replace it if you find any. The blower is
generally attached directly to the motor. Any unevenness could cause an imbalance,
which could, in turn, damage the motor or bearings.
This is one place where you might find a left-handed screw thread, depending on
the vacuum cleaner design.

12. Replace any broken wheels. Replacing wheels is not a big deal, but broken wheels
can sure slow you down. Here are wheels on two different vacuum cleaners. You may
have to remove caps or covers to access the wheel attachment points.
This wheel has an E-clip holding it on. Remove the metal E-clip with pliers.
Replace the wheel, then the clip.
Replace this wheel by squeezing these tabs together until the whole wheel pops off.
The new wheel should snap right in.

13. Repair any leaks. If something has punctured the hose, remove it with pliers and cover
the opening with electrical tape. Silicone sealant is another good choice.
Vacuum Cleaner

By :
Group - 2

1. Lestari Eka Safitri

2. Eneng Pajriah
3. Satuniah
Class : XII Akomodasi Perhotelan
ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOL
SMK IKPI LABUAN
2016