Cyclone Separator Screen Attachment Using Recessed Adhesive Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cyclone separators face challenges in securely attaching screens to shroud structures due to limited contact surface area, leading to potential detachment and inefficiencies in dirt separation.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of recesses in the shroud struts allows for a greater adhesive contact area, securely attaching the screen to the shroud structure, enhancing the attachment process and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a screen is attached to the shroud structure using adhesive, then the screen attachment stability is improved, but the contact surface area is limited reducing attachment effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen attachment stabilityVSAvoidcontact surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The recess transforms the attachment interface from a surface-level contact to a three-dimensional volumetric engagement. By creating a recess that extends into the strut, the adhesive gains access to additional spatial dimensions (depth and lateral walls), converting a limited surface area problem into a multi-dimensional attachment solution that increases effective bonding area and strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The recess creates a nested structure where the adhesive is positioned within a cavity formed in the strut. This nesting arrangement allows the adhesive to be surrounded by the strut structure on multiple sides, effectively increasing the contact surface area and providing mechanical interlocking that enhances screen attachment stability beyond what flat surface bonding could achieve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the screen is securely attached to reduce detachment, then attachment reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidshroud structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The recess is pre-formed in the strut during manufacturing, creating a prepared receptacle for the adhesive before the screen attachment process. This preliminary action of forming the recess integrates the attachment feature into the base structure, allowing for simplified assembly where the adhesive and screen are simply placed into the pre-prepared recess rather than requiring complex external fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The recess integrates multiple functions into a single structural feature: it provides adhesive containment, increases bonding surface area, and creates mechanical interlocking all within the strut geometry itself. By merging these attachment-enhancing features into the basic strut design rather than adding separate components, the solution improves reliability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

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 solution improves the securement of screens to shroud structures, ensuring effective dirt separation and reducing turbulence, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of the cyclone separator.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive is provided in a recess formed in one of the struts. A portion of the screen is attached to the shroud structure by the adhesive.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3612076B1Suction cleaner
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 TECHTRONIC FLOOR CARE TECH LTD
  • EP3612076B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3612076B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3612076B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A separator assembly for removing dirt from an air flow in a suction cleaner, the separator assembly including a separation chamber having: an inlet for receiving a flow of air and dirt into the separation chamber, a shroud structure configured such that air entering the chamber is caused to swirl around the shroud, the shroud structure including a plurality of struts spaced about a central axis, and defining a plurality of openings between adjacent pairs of the struts, a screen providing a plurality of apertures, the screen being disposed across one or more of the openings of the shroud for blocking the passage of coarse dirt through the shroud, and an outlet for connection to a source of suction and downstream of the shroud structure, through which air is drawn from the separation chamber, wherein at least one of the struts of the shroud structure defines a recess in which an adhesive is provided, and a portion of the screen is attached to one or more of the struts by the adhesive.