Cyclone separation apparatus and vacuum cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cyclone separation devices fail to simultaneously achieve effective dust collection and disposal, as the characteristics required for collecting dust and disposing of it are mutually exclusive, leading to airflow issues that cause dust to be redeposited into the swirl chamber.

Innovation Solution

A cyclone separation device with a dust collection chamber that can switch between a collection state and a disposal state, utilizing a composite material inner wall surface that changes its properties to prevent dust from being redeposited, combining efficient dust collection and disposal capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the dust collection chamber has a smooth inner wall surface, then dust can be easily disposed of, but dust is more likely to be taken back into the swirl chamber by airflow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust disposal easeVSAvoiddust collection performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inner wall surface of the dust collection chamber is designed to dynamically change its state between a first state (when dust is present) and a second state (when dust is disposed). This dynamic transformation allows the wall surface to adapt its properties based on the operational phase, resolving the contradiction between dust collection and disposal requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical or chemical parameters of the inner wall surface material between two states. In the first state, the wall surface has properties that prevent dust from being carried back by airflow (such as increased roughness or adhesive properties). In the second state, the wall surface has properties that facilitate dust disposal (such as reduced adhesion or smoother surface). This parameter change allows the same structure to satisfy both contradictory requirements at different times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the inner wall surface has high adhesion to dust, then dust is less likely to be redeposited, but dust disposal becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust separation performanceVSAvoiddust disposal ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The inner wall surface material is designed to transition between two dynamic states: a first state with high dust adhesion for effective dust collection and separation, and a second state with low dust adhesion for easy dust disposal. This dynamic behavior allows the system to sequentially achieve both high dust separation performance and easy dust disposal without manual sweeping or wiping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesion parameter of the inner wall surface is changed between two states. In the first state, the wall surface exhibits high adhesion to dust particles, preventing them from being carried back into the swirl chamber by airflow. In the second state, the adhesion parameter is reduced, allowing dust to be easily disposed of. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction between dust retention and dust disposal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the dust collection chamber is designed for efficient dust collection, then dust separation performance is improved, but dust disposal requires manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust collecting performanceVSAvoidmaintenance requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dust collection chamber incorporates an inner wall surface that can dynamically change its state between a first state optimized for dust collection (with properties that prevent dust from being carried back by airflow) and a second state optimized for dust disposal (with properties that facilitate easy dust removal). This dynamic capability eliminates the need for manual maintenance operations such as sweeping or wiping, thereby reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements while maintaining high dust collection performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical or chemical parameters of the inner wall surface are transformed between two states: a first state with properties that ensure effective dust collection and prevent dust redeposition, and a second state with properties that enable automatic or easy dust disposal. This parameter change mechanism allows the chamber to maintain high dust separation performance while eliminating manual intervention for dust disposal, thus reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 device effectively prevents dust from being redeposited into the swirl chamber, maintaining dust separation performance and reducing maintenance needs, while allowing easy disposal of collected dust without manual sweeping or wiping.

Implementation Method 1

An inner wall surface of the dust collection chamber is in a first state when the dust collection chamber is in the collection state, and become in a second state when the dust collection chamber become in the disposal state. A property of the inner wall surface of the dust collection chamber in the first state to the dust is different from a property of the inner wall surface of the dust collection chamber in the second state to the dust.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface property change:

Implementation Method 2

a swirl chamber for swirling air containing dust along a sidewall therein to separate dust from the air containing dust

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 3

a blower for generating an airflow in the swirl chamber provided in the cyclone separation device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3622873B1Cyclone separation apparatus and vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3622873B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3622873B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3622873B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cyclone separation device includes a swirl chamber (29) for swirling a dust-containing air along the sidewall therein to separate dust from the dust-containing air, and a dust collection chamber communicating with the inside of the swirl chamber (29). The dust collection chamber is configured to be able to be in a collection state for collecting the dust separated by the swirl chamber and in a disposal state for disposing of the collected dust. The inner wall surface of the dust collection chamber is in a first state when the dust collection chamber is in the collection state, and become in a second state when the dust collection chamber become in the disposal state. A property of the inner wall surface of the dust collection chamber in the first state to the dust is different from a property of the inner wall surface of the dust collection chamber in the second state to the dust.