Cyclone Inlet Layout for Compact Hand Vacuum Maneuverability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surface cleaning apparatuses, such as hand vacuum cleaners, face challenges in reducing the size of components like cyclone chambers and suction motors without compromising their operability, which affects maneuverability and ease of use.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a cyclone chamber with multiple airflow passages that terminate at tangential inlets around the perimeter of the cyclone chamber, allowing for reduced height and increased separation efficiency while maintaining air volume and separation efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the height of cyclone inlets is reduced to improve maneuverability and ease of use, then the size of the cyclone chamber is reduced, but the air volume and separation efficiency may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidair volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cyclone chamber is divided into multiple separate airflow passages (first airflow passage, second airflow passage, etc.) that terminate at different locations around the cyclone chamber perimeter. This segmentation allows multiple inlets to be positioned at reduced heights while collectively maintaining the required air volume intake capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of relying on a single tall inlet, the design distributes multiple inlets around the perimeter of the cyclone chamber at the same reduced height level. This transitions from a vertical dimension solution (tall inlet) to a horizontal dimension solution (multiple inlets around perimeter), maintaining air volume while reducing height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the height of cyclone inlets is reduced to improve maneuverability and ease of use, then the size of the cyclone chamber is reduced, but the separation efficiency may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidseparation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each airflow passage is designed with specific local characteristics (different positions around the perimeter, potentially different orientations) to optimize the airflow pattern and separation efficiency at each location, while the collective arrangement maintains overall separation performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If multiple airflow passages are implemented around the cyclone chamber perimeter, then the air volume intake is maintained with reduced inlet height, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair volumeVSAvoidairflow passage configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple airflow passages are merged into a single cyclone chamber structure, sharing common components such as the cyclone chamber body, separation mechanism, and outlet. This combining approach maintains air volume capability while limiting the increase in overall device complexity through shared infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design enhances maneuverability and ease of use by reducing the height of cyclone inlets without compromising air volume or separation efficiency, improving the overall performance of surface cleaning apparatuses.

Implementation Method 1

a cyclone positioned in the air flow path, the cyclone having a cyclone chamber, a cyclone chamber sidewall, a first airflow passage having an inlet end and a downstream outlet end wherein the downstream outlet end comprises a first tangential air inlet, a second airflow passage having an inlet end and a downstream outlet end wherein the downstream outlet end comprises a second tangential air inlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

dirty air enters the cyclone chamber, and dirt and debris is separated from the air as it flows through the cyclone chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS20230389761A1Surface cleaning apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.12.07 OMACHRON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INC

AI summary

A hand vacuum cleaner with a finger grip area that is provided between a forward side of the handle and a rear side of the main body, and wherein the suction motor is positioned between the cyclone and the finger grip area and an axis that extends between the front of the cyclone and the handle extends through the suction motor.