What is a Vacuum Cleaner?
A Vacuum Cleaner is an electrical appliance that removes dust, dirt, and debris from floors, carpets, False ceilings, shells, and other places. The motor inside the machine creates a pressure difference that extracts liquids, air, or other particles, through a process called Suction. The dirt or debris is effectively pulled into the container with the help of the Nozzle or Hose.
Most Vacuum Cleaners are designed with HEPA Filters (High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters), which effectively capture minute dust particles. The latest advancements in motors have led to the design of more potent vacuum cleaners that can handle tough cleaning tasks, including pet hair removal.
Parts of a Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuum Cleaner consists of several parts, here are some key parts
- Motor: It creates suction inside the machine.
- Fan: It helps to create a Low-Pressure area by drawing air into the Vacuum.
- Filters: It collects Particles and Allergens. Some filters are specifically designed to capture small particles.
- Hose: A long tube connected to the Vacuum Cleaner helps clean surfaces easily.
- Casters: Machine movement is allowed on different surfaces easily with the help of Wheels or Casters.
- Dust Containers: Some Vacuum Cleaners are designed with Disposable Bags while others are with reusable bins.
Some other additional parts of a Cleaner include
- Power Switches
- Dust Bag Controller
- Indicator
- Floor Brush Roller
- Metal Telescopic Tube
- Canister, and
- Power Mate
Working Of A Vacuum Cleaner:
The working of a vacuum cleaner is simple and easy to understand.
- A Vacuum Cleaner’s working principle is to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. Once electricity is allowed, the Motor starts producing mechanical energy, making the fan attached to the motor rotate.
- Once the fan spins, a low-pressure area is created inside the Vacuum Cleaner. The air pressure difference collects dust and debris particles by Nozzle or Hoze.
- The Filters trap the dust and particles. Canisters are attached for collecting the debris.
- Fresh air is allowed back into the environment through the Exhaust Port, after the completion of the cycle.
Classification of Vacuum Cleaners
Vacuum Cleaners are classified under different factors or sources. They are:
- Based on the Power Source
- Based on the Intended Use and Design
- Based on Special Features
- Based on the Filtration System
1. Based on the Power Source
- Cord Vacuum Cleaner
- Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
a. Cord Vacuum Cleaner
These machines need a continuous power supply. The user has to plug the Vacuum Cleaner cord into the home power source to work. The main drawback of this type of machine is that it cannot be used when there is no power supply, and it has limited mobility.
Advantages of Cord Vacuum Cleaner
- These devices don’t have any battery limitations, because they run on a continuous power supply and are cost-effective.
- It can be used for longer periods without any interruption.
Disadvantages of Cord Vacuum Cleaner
- One can face storage challenges because of the long cord.
- It is not suitable for quick clean-ups.
b. Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
This device is designed with rechargeable batteries, one can use them any time after charging. These machines are portable.
Advantages of Cordless Vacuum
- These devices are suitable for quick clean-ups.
- Cordless Vacuums perform less noisy operations.
Disadvantages of Cordless Vacuum
- Battery life is limited.
- These are more expensive.
2. Based on the Intended Use and Design
a. Based on Intended Use
Residential vacuums are primarily designed for household cleaning, while commercial vacuums are intended for heavy-duty business use, and industrial vacuum cleaners are meant for factories and warehouses that require large-scale cleaning.
b. Based on Design
Vacuum Cleaners are classified into different types based on the design. Some of them are given below.
1. Canister Vacuum Cleaner
2. Upright Vacuum Cleaner
3. Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
4. Stick Vacuum Cleaner
5. Backpack Vacuum Cleaner
6. Central Vacuum Cleaner
7. Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
8. Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner
1. Canister Vacuum Cleaner
It features a separate canister unit with a motor and dust collection system. Additionally, it includes a wand and a flexible tube that enhances the cleaning process. These components are adaptable.
Advantages of Canister Vacuum
- Effectively removes stubborn dirt.
- The hose provides flexibility and cleans thoroughly.
Disadvantages of Canister Vacuum
- The design is bulky.
- Requires more maintenance.
2. Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Dust bags are housed within a single-unit container that includes the vacuum cleaner motor. This design provides better reach without needing to switch to the nearest power outlet, thanks to its long cord.
Advantages of Upright Vacuum Cleaner
- It decreases the need to bend down while cleaning.
- This device removes allergens from surfaces effectively.
Disadvantages of Upright Vacuum Cleaner:
- It produces more noise than other vacuum cleaners.
- Requires more space for storage.
3. Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
These are cordless machines, which can be carried easily for cleaning purposes and are
designed with a streamlined design.
Advantages of Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
- These are compact devices, suitable for cleaning stairs and vehicle interiors.
- It is designed with minimum storage space.
Disadvantages of Handheld Vacuum Cleaner:
The device needs multiple charging, if the user wants to utilize it for a longer period, it will cause an increase in electricity bills.
4. Stick Vacuum Cleaner
It is a very lightweight device with the same features as an Upright Vacuum. The device has a small cylinder at the top to collect debris that needs to be cleaned out frequently.
Advantages of Stick Vacuum Cleaner
- The device is more portable.
- It collects dust effectively and is allergy-free.
Disadvantages of Stick Vacuum Cleaner
- Small canister size is not ideal for collecting all the debris in a single use.
- The use of rechargeable batteries with inbuilt features made stick vacuum cleaners more costly than others.
5. Backpack Vacuum Cleaner
These devices are generally wearable as backpacks, which are not heavy. A debris collection cylinder is located at the back, and the attached nozzle gathers the debris.
Advantages of Backpack Vacuum Cleaner
- This device minimizes the physical strain on the user.
- Less storage space is required.
Disadvantages of Backpack Vacuum Cleaner
These are designed for commercial purposes and are not suitable for domestic cleaning.
6. Central Vacuum Cleaner
It has a central unit that collects debris and dust with the help of pipes present inside the walls. It is mainly used in utility areas and garages.
Advantages of Central Vacuum Cleaner
- These are designed with more powerful motors and operations are quieter.
- These devices promote indoor air quality by reducing allergens and are most durable.
Disadvantages of Central Vacuum Cleaner
- Sometimes the pipes attached to the central unit become clogged, which requires more effort to clean the network pipes.
- These devices need regular replacement of filters in the central unit, which requires regular maintenance.
7. Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
A cordless device, designed with autonomous operation, does not require hands-on control and removes dirt by completely moving inside the home or room. Inbuilt sensors help in detecting obstacles. These devices can be controlled with the help of voice commands or smartphone apps.
Advantages of Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
- It requires minimal effort to set it up.
- Best suited for regular cleaning and cleaning effectively in tight spaces.
Disadvantages of Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
- The bin should be emptied regularly, as the device has a limited capacity.
- It has limited battery life which is not suitable for uninterrupted cleaning of large areas.
8. Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner
This type of Vacuum Cleaner is mainly designed to remove the liquid spills on the floor. It has two various chambers that collect wet liquid spills and dry debris separately. These are mainly suitable for intensive tasks.
Advantages of Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner
- It is cost-effective because it performs both wet and dry debris cleaning with a single machine.
- Cleanup is easy and simple.
Disadvantages of Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner
- Size is bulkier because of the two large chambers.
- It requires more maintenance.
3. Based on Special Features
The special features include
- Bag and Bagless Vacuum Cleaners
- Steam Cleaning
- UV light technology
- Wifi connectivity, voice control, and Automatic shielding
a. Bag and Bagless Vacuum Cleaners
i. Bag Vacuum Cleaners
These devices are designed with bags for collecting debris which are much easier to use.
Advantages of Bag Vacuum Cleaners
It provides the best filtration with complete dust indicators.
Disadvantages of Bag Vacuum Cleaners
- Bags need to be replaced every time after filling with debris.
- Storage space will also increase.
ii. Bagless Vacuum Cleaners
This type of Vacuum Cleaner has cylindrical dustbin containers instead of disposable bags.
Advantages of Bagless Vacuum Cleaners
The dustbin collector reduces the usage of bags and there are no replacement costs.
Disadvantages of Bagless Vacuum Cleaners
High-quality bagless vacuum cleaners are generally expensive.
b. Steam Cleaning
This type of Vacuum cleaner uses steam to clean and sanitize surfaces.
Advantages of Steam Cleaning
- Steam loosens the tough stains, grease, and other debris easily from the surfaces.
- It also produces high temperatures which removes allergens and kills bacteria.
Disadvantages of Steam Cleaning
- It needs a continuous power supply to operate.
c. UV light technology
This type of device mainly focuses on providing disinfection by using UV light and reduces the need for artificial chemical cleaners.
Advantages of UV Light Technology in Vacuum Cleaners
Allergens are removed easily and are chemical-free.
Disadvantages of UV light technology Vacuum Cleaners
- These are mostly expensive.
- These devices are generally bulky.
d. Wifi connectivity, voice control, and Automatic shielding
These are some of the additional features such as obstacle detection, operating through smartphone apps, scheduling the cleaning process, and many more which are available in modern Vacuum Cleaners.
Advantages
Smart home integration is possible and less human intervention is required.
Disadvantages
- Device design will be complex and raises security and privacy issues.
- More expensive when compared to traditional cleaners.
4. Based on the Filtration System
There are different types of filters available in Vacuum Cleaners. They are:
- Pre-filters for capturing large dust particles.
- HEPA filters for collecting minute debris
- Charcoal Filters for reducing unpleasant odors during cleaning.
- Foam filters are used to collect large dust particles and protect motors.
- And more.
Advantages
- By using filters, allergens and bad odor from surfaces will be removed.
- Filters collect debris effectively.
Disadvantages
- It requires frequent cleaning of filters; otherwise, it is clogged with debris.
- High maintenance is required.
Conclusion
Vacuum Cleaners have become an important household tool for efficient cleaning in the modern world. These machines are used as an alternative to traditional cleaning methods, which require lots of strain. Their features are continuously enhanced to provide better cleaning and high-product durability. They remove dirt and allergens from surfaces, carpets, etc., and promote a healthy living environment. This machine helps older people to maintain clean surroundings with minimal human effort.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What are some of the top brands of Vacuum Cleaners?
Some of the top brands of Vacuum Cleaners are
- Dyson
- Shark
- Miele
- Hoover
- Eureka
- Phillips
- Panasonic
2. How often does the vacuum cleaner bag change?
It depends on the size of the bag, the type of Vacuum, and how often a user can utilize it. For large debris replace the bag after 1 month and for normal usage, replace it every 3 months.
3. Which type of motor is used in Vacuum Cleaners?
Universal motors, Brushless DC motors, and Induction motors are some different types of motors used in Vacuum Cleaners.
4. What is the basic price of a Vacuum Cleaner?
The price of the Vacuum Cleaner varies based on design and features. The basic price of this machine is $20.
5. What is the working principle of a Vacuum Cleaner?
It works on the principle of air pressure difference caused by a motor,which collects debris.