Cyclone Bin Sidewall Protection for Compact Canister Vacuums
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaning apparatuses, such as vacuum cleaners, face challenges in compact construction and durability of cyclone bin assemblies due to lateral impacts, which affect the efficiency and longevity of the cleaning process.
Innovation Solution
A surface cleaning apparatus design featuring a cyclone bin assembly removably mounted within a cavity between opposing sidewalls, providing protection from lateral impacts and enabling a more compact construction by having the cyclone chamber mounted transversely, with the sidewalls covering at least 50% of the cyclone bin assembly's end walls, and incorporating a suction motor and pre-motor filter with specific cross-sectional areas to enhance airflow and component protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cyclone bin assembly is mounted exposed on the surface cleaning apparatus, then it is easily accessible for maintenance and cleaning, but it becomes vulnerable to lateral impacts and reduces overall device durability
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclone bin assembly is nested within a cavity formed between opposing sidewalls of the main body. The cavity has an openable wall that allows access to the cyclone bin assembly for maintenance and cleaning, while the sidewalls provide protection from lateral impacts during normal operation.
2Device complexity
If the cyclone chamber is mounted longitudinally in the direction of motion, then it maintains simple structural alignment, but it increases the overall length and reduces compactness of the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclone chamber is mounted transversely (perpendicularly) to the direction of motion instead of longitudinally. This dimensional change allows the cyclone bin assembly to fit within the width of the apparatus between the sidewalls, significantly reducing the overall length while maintaining structural integrity through the cavity design.
3Reliability
If the sidewalls are made larger to cover more of the cyclone bin assembly, then protection from lateral impacts is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sidewalls serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the main body, protect the cyclone bin assembly from lateral impacts, and define the cavity that enables transverse mounting. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional protective structures, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining durability.
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 the durability and compactness of the surface cleaning apparatus, protecting the cyclone bin assembly from impacts and allowing for efficient airflow while maintaining a compact form factor, thereby improving the overall cleaning performance and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The rotation of the air in the cyclone results in some of the particulate matter in the airflow stream being disentrained from the airflow stream
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. The surface cleaning apparatus includes a main body having a front end, a rear end, first and second opposed sidewalls. A cavity having an open upper end is positioned between the first and second opposed side walls. A suction motor provided in the air flow path. A cyclone bin assembly provided in the air flow path. The cyclone bin assembly may have opposed end walls and may be removably mounted in the cavity. The first and second opposed sidewalls can be sized to protect the cyclone bin assembly from a side impact.