Vacuum Cleaner Cyclone Helical Expansion for Dirt Re-Entrapment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cyclone separators in vacuum cleaners face efficiency issues due to intermingling of airflow and dirt/debris at the separator plate location, leading to reduced separation efficiency, especially as the dirt fills the lower housing and during the introduction of large masses.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a helical guide channel on the inner surface of the outer cyclone wall, which expands radially outward, helps to separate the cyclonic airflow and guide larger particles to the bottom, reducing re-entrainment and enhancing separation efficiency by providing a discrete region for air expansion and particle deceleration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional cyclone separator is used, then the structure is simple, but the separation efficiency decreases as dirt fills the lower housing due to intermingling of airflow and debris at the separator plate location
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclone separator is divided into distinct functional zones: an upper separation zone with a separator plate for initial particle removal, and a lower helical expansion region for airflow deceleration and further separation. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally, preventing intermingling of airflows and maintaining separation efficiency even as dirt accumulates in the lower housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a helical three-dimensional expansion region in the lower portion of the cyclone separator, transforming the conventional two-dimensional separator plate design into a three-dimensional structure. This helical expansion provides additional spatial dimensions for airflow deceleration and particle separation, enabling the system to maintain efficiency despite dirt accumulation.
2Quantity of substance
If the cyclone separator operates with large masses of dirt, then the dirt collection capacity increases, but the separation efficiency reduces due to airflow intermingling
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclone separator is divided into distinct functional zones: an upper separation zone with a separator plate for initial particle removal, and a lower helical expansion region for airflow deceleration and further separation. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally, preventing intermingling of airflows and maintaining separation efficiency even as dirt accumulates in the lower housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical expansion region acts as an intermediary zone between the upper separation zone and the dirt collection area. It provides a transition region where airflow is gradually decelerated and redirected, preventing direct intermingling of clean and dirty airflows while accommodating large masses of dirt without compromising separation efficiency.
3Reliability
If a separator plate is used at the bottom of the cyclone, then initial separation is achieved, but airflow intermingling occurs reducing overall separation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the problematic intermingling zone by introducing a helical expansion region that physically separates the upward airflow from the downward spiraling airflow. This extraction of the intermingling problem prevents clean and dirty airflows from mixing, eliminating the harmful effect of reduced separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical expansion region acts as an intermediary zone between the upper separation zone and the dirt collection area. It provides a transition region where airflow is gradually decelerated and redirected, preventing direct intermingling of clean and dirty airflows while accommodating large masses of dirt without compromising separation efficiency.
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 helical guide channel enhances cyclone separator performance by reducing intermingling of airflows and improving dirt separation, maintaining cyclonic airflow patterns even as dirt accumulates, and reducing noise through irregular shape and sound absorption.
Implementation Method 1
a cyclone having a helical cyclone expansion region formed on the inner surface of the outer cyclone wall
Implementation Method 2
the vortex motion of the cyclone
Implementation Method 3
helps to separate the cyclonic airflow and guide larger particles to the bottom
Implementation Method 4
reducing noise through irregular shape and sound absorption
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner dirt collection assembly having a housing, an air inlet and air outlet connected to the housing and a cyclone chamber inside the housing. The cyclone chamber has top and bottom walls, and an outer wall joining the top and bottom walls to form a generally enclosed space. The outer wall has a helical guide channel extending radially outward from the adjacent portion of the outer wall. An inner wall, located inside the enclosed space, has a generally cylindrical or frustroconical surface having one or more openings fluidly connecting the enclosed space to the air outlet. A separator plate is located inside the enclosed space at a location between the top and bottom walls. The separator plate extends towards the outer wall and is spaced from the outer wall by a gap.