Cyclone Separator Reflux Design for Low-Density Particle Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cyclone separators face challenges in efficiently separating solid particles from fluids when the solid particles have densities only slightly greater than the fluid, leading to incomplete separation and potential secondary pollution in downstream components.

Innovation Solution

The cyclone separator design includes a first and second housing, a filter element, a flowing passage, input and output pipes, and a reflux portion. The reflux portion creates a low-pressure region, guiding the flowing medium from the waste collection chamber to the output pipe, ensuring solid particles are collected and preventing blockage of the filter element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single cyclone separator is used for solid-liquid separation, then the device complexity is low, but the separation efficiency is insufficient and secondary pollution occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidseparation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cyclone separator is divided into multiple independent cyclone chambers (first cyclone chamber, second cyclone chamber, etc.) that work in parallel. Each chamber performs separation independently, and the separated liquids are collected separately. This segmentation allows the system to achieve complete separation without secondary pollution while maintaining relatively simple individual chamber structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the cyclone separator is used to separate solid particles with density slightly greater than fluid, then the centrifugal force on particles is weakened, but the separation can still be achieved through multiple chambers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation completenessVSAvoidcentrifugal force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple cyclone chambers are arranged in parallel, each generating its own centrifugal force field. Even though individual centrifugal forces are weak on low-density-difference particles, the cumulative effect of multiple chambers ensures complete separation. Each chamber acts as an independent separation stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A water seal chamber is introduced as an intermediary component between the cyclone chambers and the discharge system. The water seal maintains a liquid barrier that prevents gas from entering the separation chambers while allowing separated liquid to pass through, thereby maintaining the integrity of the centrifugal separation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the output pipe extends into the filter chamber, then the structure is simplified, but the filter element may be blocked by waste particles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural complexityVSAvoidfilter element reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into separate functional zones: cyclone separation chambers, waste collection chambers, and filter chambers. The output pipes of cyclone chambers discharge into waste collection chambers first, keeping the filter chamber isolated from direct waste particle exposure. This spatial segmentation protects the filter element while maintaining structural efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The water seal chamber acts as an intermediary between the cyclone separation process and the filter chamber. It captures waste particles and separates them from the liquid stream before the liquid enters the filter chamber, preventing filter blockage while allowing the output pipe structure to remain simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 the separation efficiency by allowing solid particles with reduced centrifugal force to be collected in the waste collection chamber, preventing them from entering the filter chamber and ensuring complete separation without secondary pollution.

Implementation Method 1

a flowing medium enters the cyclone separator through the input pipe and forms a cyclone or a rotational flow in the flowing passage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

the centrifugal forces of the solid particles are weakened

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

The reflux portion is in a low-pressure region, the flowing passage is in a high-pressure region, and the flowing medium has a trend of flowing from the high-pressure region to the low-pressure region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4360528B1Cyclone separator and dishwasher
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 GUANGDONG MIDEA WHITE HOME APPLIANCE TECH INNOVATION CENT CO LTD
  • EP4360528B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4360528B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4360528B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cyclone separator (1) and a dishwasher (2), wherein the cyclone separator (1) comprises a first housing (11), a second housing (12), a first filter piece (131), and a back flow part (15). The second housing (12) is provided inside the first housing (11). A waste collection chamber (10) is provided between the second housing (12) and the first housing (11). The first filter piece (131) is provided inside the second housing (12), and the first filter piece (131) encloses and forms a first filter chamber. A flow passage (140) is provided between the first filter piece (131) and the second housing (12). The flow passage (140) is in communication with the first filter chamber by means of filter holes, and the waste collection chamber (10) is in communication with the flow passage (140). An inlet pipe (142) is in communication with the flow passage (140). A flow medium enters the cyclone separator (1) by means of the inlet pipe (142), and forms a cyclone in the flow passage (140). An outlet pipe (143) is in communication with the first filter chamber, and the flow medium exits the cyclone separator (1) by means of the outlet pipe (143). The flow medium flows from the waste collection chamber (10) towards the outlet pipe (143) by means of the back flow part (15), such that pollutants in the flow passage (140) may be collected in the waste collection chamber (10) as much as possible.