Bagless vacuum cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cyclonic vacuum cleaners face challenges in achieving high separation performance without compromising suction power, as particles can be re-entrained due to turbulence and small air movements, and maintaining cleanliness while optimizing water usage for effective filtration.

Innovation Solution

A bagless vacuum cleaner design featuring a cyclone tube with a mushroom-shaped bucket containing liquid, where the bucket's diameter is at least twice that of the cyclone, and a rim to regulate water entry, preventing water from entering the cyclone during startup and minimizing contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a cyclone tube is used for particle separation, then separation performance is improved, but particles can be re-entrained due to turbulence and small air movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation performanceVSAvoidparticle re-entrainment
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A liquid pool is introduced as an intermediary substance between the cyclone tube and the collection container. The liquid pool captures particles that would otherwise be re-entrained by turbulence, allowing them to settle before entering the collection space. This mediator prevents re-entrainment while maintaining separation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state and flow characteristics by introducing a liquid phase. The liquid pool creates a damping effect on air movements and turbulence, altering the flow parameters to prevent particle re-entrainment while maintaining effective separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If water is used for filtration, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but water contamination and cleanliness maintenance become problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidwater contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid pool serves as an intermediary filtration stage that captures particles before they can contaminate the main collection space. By having particles settle in the liquid pool first, the amount of contamination reaching the collection container is significantly reduced, maintaining cleanliness while preserving filtration effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows liquid to be discarded and replaced periodically. The liquid pool accumulates contaminants over time, and when saturated, the liquid can be emptied and replaced with fresh liquid, restoring filtration effectiveness without permanent contamination of the collection space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Stability of the object's composition

If the bucket diameter is increased to prevent particle re-entrainment, then separation stability is improved, but device size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation stabilityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid pool is nested within the existing vacuum cleaner structure, utilizing the space between the cyclone tube and the collection container. This nested arrangement provides the stability benefits of a larger diameter without significantly increasing the overall device size, as the liquid pool occupies otherwise unused space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of increasing the horizontal diameter of the collection container, the invention utilizes the vertical dimension by creating a liquid pool at the bottom of the cyclone tube. This dimensional shift achieves separation stability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity and size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances separation performance by preventing re-entrainment of particles and maintaining cleanliness, while ensuring stable operation and controlled water usage to maintain suction power and reduce contamination.

Implementation Method 1

a cyclone tube, in which water is provided at a bottom of the cyclone tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

dust separation by cyclonic action

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

particles can be re-entrained due to turbulence and small air movements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSedimentation: Sedimentation

Implementation Method 4

water which is provided at a bottom of the cyclone tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3282911B1Bagless vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3282911B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3282911B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3282911B1 patent drawing

AI summary

In a bagless vacuum cleaner, comprising a cyclonic separator having a cyclone tube (6), and a bucket (3) for containing a liquid, a diameter of the bucket (3) is at least 2 times a diameter of the cyclone tube (6). Preferably, in the bucket (3) there is a body (8) having a center in line with a center of the cyclone tube (6), a shape of the body (8) being or approximating a mushroom-shape.