Cyclone Dust Collector with Reversing Compression to Clear Inlet Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dust collecting apparatuses for vacuum cleaners face issues with dust blockage at the inlet, requiring additional power sources and complex motor control to operate dust compression and brushing devices simultaneously, leading to inefficiencies and design challenges.
Innovation Solution
A dust collecting apparatus with a first and second cyclone configuration, a compression device that rotates to compress dust, a screw with guide vanes for dust collection, and a gear unit that allows for simultaneous clockwise and counterclockwise rotation using a single power source, enabling efficient dust collection and discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a multi-cyclone structure is used to collect dust, then dust collection performance is improved, but dust blocks the inlet of the dust storage unit, hindering further dust collection
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet is designed to rotate dynamically to different positions. During normal operation, the inlet faces upward to collect dust. When dust blocks the inlet, the inlet rotates to face downward, allowing blocked dust to fall back into the collection chamber, thus maintaining continuous dust collection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic rotation of the inlet between upward-facing (collection mode) and downward-facing (clearing mode) positions. This periodic action allows the system to alternate between dust collection and clearing blocked dust, ensuring continuous operation
2Ease of operation
If additional power sources are provided to rotate the inlet and operate compression devices, then dust discharge capability is improved, but power loss increases and design space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (inlet rotation, compression device operation, dust discharge) into a single integrated mechanism driven by one power source. The single motor sequentially drives the inlet rotation and compression devices through mechanical linkages, eliminating the need for separate power sources for each function
Solution Approach 2:
A single power source is designed to perform multiple functions: rotating the inlet to clear blocked dust, operating the compression device to compress collected dust, and facilitating dust discharge. This multi-functional design reduces overall power consumption and simplifies the power system
3Device complexity
If a single motor is used to drive both compression and dust brushing devices, then device complexity is reduced, but the motor must rotate in two directions requiring additional control and causing operational discontinuity
Solution Approach 1:
The operational cycle is segmented into distinct phases: dust collection phase, inlet rotation phase, dust compression phase, and dust discharge phase. The single motor sequentially executes each phase in order, allowing both compression and brushing devices to operate in their respective time windows without requiring simultaneous bidirectional rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The single motor operates in periodic cycles, rotating in one direction during compression phases and in the opposite direction during inlet rotation phases. This periodic bidirectional operation eliminates the need for continuous control and allows both devices to function effectively through time-sequenced operation
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
The apparatus enhances dust collecting performance by allowing simultaneous operation of dust compression and brushing with a single power source, improving dust collection efficiency and reducing the risk of dust scattering during discharge.
Implementation Method 1
a first cyclone installed in a first case, and configured to separate dust from air introduced together with foreign materials and to discharge the dust to a first dust storage unit
Implementation Method 2
a second cyclone mounted above the first cyclone, and configured to separate fine dust from the air having dust separated therefrom by the first cyclone, and to discharge the fine dust to a second dust storage unit
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner, comprising: a first cyclone installed in a first case and configured to separate dust from air introduced thereinto together with foreign substances and to discharge the separated dust to a first dust storage unit; a second cyclone mounted above the first cyclone and configured to separate fine dust from the air from which the dust is separated by the first cyclone and to discharge the separated fine dust to a second dust storage unit; a compression device configured such that at least a part thereof performs normal rotation in one direction and reverse rotation in the direction opposite to that of the normal rotation along the outer peripheral surface of a second case having the second dust storage unit therein to compress the dust stored in the first dust storage unit; a screw rotatably installed above the compression device and having a guide vane spirally extending along the outer periphery thereof to guide the collection of dust into the first dust storage unit; a driving unit that transmits a driving force to the compression device to selectively enable the normal rotation and the reverse rotation of the compression device; and a gear unit installed between the compression device and the screw to enable the screw to perform normal rotation while the compression device performs the normal rotation and the reverse rotation.