Bucket-type suction assembly provided with a cyclonic separation device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing canister vacuum cleaners face challenges in optimizing waste separation within the cyclonic separation chamber without increasing the size of the vacuum cleaner housing, and in efficiently removing the waste collection container from the suction assembly.

Innovation Solution

A sled-type suction assembly with a hollow wheel hub that houses the air intake duct, allowing the suction unit to be positioned close to the waste separation and collection device, optimizing the assembly's length and width, and enabling the waste collection container to be removed from the front while maintaining a compact size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the air intake duct is arranged to extend partly around the waste collection container to enable front removal, then the waste collection container can be removed forward, but the suction assembly length increases and side wheels must be moved away

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste collection container removalVSAvoidsuction assembly length
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air intake duct is nested inside the hollow wheel hub, utilizing the internal space of the wheel hub structure. This allows the duct to be positioned without extending the external dimensions of the suction assembly, enabling front removal of the waste collection container while maintaining compact overall length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Manufacturing precision

If the air intake duct extends straight horizontally at the front, then tangential entry into cyclonic separation chamber is ensured, but the suction assembly length increases and congestion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetangential entry configurationVSAvoidsuction assembly length
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air intake duct transitions from a horizontal arrangement to a vertical arrangement by extending through the hollow wheel hub. This dimensional change allows the duct to achieve the necessary length for proper airflow configuration without increasing the horizontal length of the suction assembly, avoiding congestion while maintaining effective cyclonic separation entry.

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

3Device complexity

If the suction unit is separated from the waste separation device to allow duct passage, then the air intake pipe can pass through, but the suction assembly length increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent arrangement flexibilityVSAvoidsuction assembly length
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow wheel hub acts as an intermediary structure that provides a passage route for the air intake duct between the suction unit and the waste separation device. This allows the duct to pass through without requiring separation of the suction unit from the waste separation device, maintaining component integration while enabling proper airflow path configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration enhances waste separation efficiency, reduces pressure drops, and allows for a larger separation chamber capacity without oversizing the suction assembly, while enabling easy emptying and cleaning of the waste collection device.

Implementation Method 1

a cyclonic separation chamber which is delimited externally by a side wall of the waste collection container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclonic separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

waste separation and collection device which is arranged on the aeraulic circuit upstream of the suction unit and which is crossed by the air flow generated by the fan

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP4039148A1Bucket-type suction assembly provided with a cyclonic separation device
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 SEB SA
  • EP4039148A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4039148A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4039148A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The suction assembly comprises a suction nozzle (5); a suction unit (9); a waste separation and collection device (8) including a waste collection container (11) and a cyclone separation chamber (18) externally delimited by a side wall of the waste collection container (11); an air inlet duct (23) fluidly connecting the suction nozzle (5) to the cyclone separation chamber (18); and first and second main wheels that are annular and rotate respectively around first and second fixed wheel hubs. The air inlet duct (23) extends at least partially within an internal volume delimited by one of the first and second fixed wheel hubs.