Base-Inlet Cyclonic Separator for Compact Vacuum Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum cleaners with cyclonic separators often have tortuous ducting paths due to the relative locations of the cleaner head and cyclonic separator inlet, which affects performance and requires external ducting, leading to a less compact design.
Innovation Solution
A cyclonic separator design with an inlet duct extending from the base, allowing a less tortuous path for fluid flow and incorporating a first and second cyclone stage with surrounding dirt collection chambers, and an outlet duct that extends through the separator, eliminating external ducting and enabling a compact, efficient design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the inlet is located at an upper part of the cyclonic separator, then the separator can be positioned above the cleaner head, but the ducting path becomes tortuous and performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by locating the inlet at the base of the cyclonic separator rather than at the upper part. This inversion allows the cyclonic separator to be positioned above the cleaner head while maintaining a direct, non-tortuous ducting path from the cleaner head through the base to the cyclone chamber, thereby preserving performance while achieving the desired positioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If external ducting is used to connect the cleaner head to the cyclonic separator, then the inlet can be positioned independently, but the overall device size increases and compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the inlet duct with the base structure of the cyclonic separator, forming an integrated unit where the base itself serves as the inlet passage. This eliminates the need for separate external ducting components and reduces the overall volume of the cyclonic separator while maintaining positioning flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The base of the cyclonic separator performs multiple functions: it serves as the structural foundation of the separator, provides the inlet passage for fluid flow, and acts as the connection interface to the cleaner head. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate ducting components and reduces overall device complexity and size.
3Volume of moving object
If the inlet duct extends through the interior of the cyclonic separator, then external ducting is eliminated and compactness is improved, but the ducting path may interfere with fluid spiralling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the inlet duct from the interior of the cyclone chamber by positioning it at the base and routing it through the wall into the cyclone chamber. This extraction prevents the duct from interfering with the fluid spiralling path while maintaining a compact integrated design, as the duct enters at the periphery rather than occupying central space where it would disrupt the vortex flow.
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
This design improves performance by reducing ducting complexity, allowing for easier maneuverability and increased airwatts, while maintaining a compact size and reducing material usage, thus enhancing separation efficiency and filtration capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a cyclone chamber and a first dirt collection chamber located below the cyclone chamber
Implementation Method 2
Fluid then spirals in a direction that generally descends within the cyclone chamber. Dirt separated from the fluid then collects in the first dirt collection chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
A cyclonic separator comprising a first cyclone stage, a second cyclone stage and an inlet duct. The first cyclone stage comprises a cyclone chamber and a first dirt collection chamber. The second cyclone stage is located downstream of the first cyclone stage and comprises a second dirt collection chamber. The inlet duct carries fluid from an opening in the base of the cyclonic separator to the cyclone chamber, and the first dirt collection chamber surrounds at least partly the inlet duct and the second dirt collection chamber.