There are many different types of vacuum cleaners, from many different manufacturers, and despite some looking very futuristic, and others looking very minimal, they all work pretty much the same way.
A vacuum cleaner picks up dirt in a similar way to how a straw works. Because there's a difference in pressure at the top of the straw compared to the bottom, the liquid passes up the straw. Another way to describe it is like the changing of the air pressure over a plane wing so that the plane can fly.
The vacuum cleaner has a motor that drives a fan which forces the air forwards towards the exhaust port. When the dust is driven forward using the brushes or the nozzle, the air pressure increases in front of the fan, and decreases behind the fan. This creates suction, which keeps the air coming into the vacuum cleaner. Using friction, such as the brushes at the front of an upright vacuum cleaner, or a brush on the end of a nozzle, the vacuum cleaner picks up dust and debris.
As the dirty air is sucked through the cleaner, it goes through a filter or vacuum cleaner bag. The holes in the filter or bag are large enough to let air through, but not large enough to allow dust through. This means that the dust will collect in the bag, or on the filter.
To be effective, the cleaner must have an efficient motor that runs at a high speed, and the airflow needs to be kept clear of dust or debris. The brushes and nozzle will also need to be effective to agitate stubborn dirt and dust that is deep in the carpet.
Wet and Dry Vacuum cleaners work using a different collection system, because the liquid wouldn't work with a paper collection bag or filter. The air stream passes over a bucket, and slows down. As the air stream slows, the liquids and heavier dirt particles fall into the bucket, which can be easily emptied once you've finished.
Cyclone vacuum cleaners work differently. The air stream is sent through one or more cylinders along a high speed spiral path. This is like a roller coaster, or a spin dryer. As the air travels in a spiral, the dust and dirt is subjected to a strong centrifugal force which removes them from the airstream, and deposits them in the bottom of the cylinder.
Now you know more about vacuum cleaners, isn't it time you made sure yours works properly?
