Cyclone Separator Vanes for Vacuum Cleaner Particle Expulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vacuum cleaners face inefficiencies in separating airborne particles due to imbalances between drag and centrifugal forces, which affect separation efficiency and can allow particles to penetrate further into the device, damaging components.
Innovation Solution
The vacuum cleaner incorporates vanes with leading faces inclined relative to the rotation axis, guiding airborne particles to zones with reduced drag forces compared to centrifugal forces, enhancing separation efficiency without increasing rotational speed, and utilizes additional features like plates and varying vane inclinations to optimize particle separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the separator rotates at high speed to separate particles, then separation efficiency improves, but drag forces increase allowing particles to penetrate further into the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different inclination angles to different portions of the vane leading faces. The inclination angle varies along the axial length of the vane, creating zones with different force balances. This local variation allows particles to be guided to specific zones where centrifugal forces dominate over drag forces, resolving the contradiction between high-speed rotation and particle penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the vane leading faces by introducing inclination angles relative to the rotation axis. This parameter change modifies the force balance between drag and centrifugal forces, creating zones where particles are effectively separated even at high rotational speeds without increasing drag forces excessively.
2Productivity
If the separator rotates at high speed to separate particles, then separation efficiency improves, but particle penetration into internal components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The varying inclination angles create local zones along the vane length where particles are directed to specific radial positions. This ensures particles are expelled at controlled locations rather than penetrating deep into the device, maintaining high separation efficiency while preventing harmful particle penetration into internal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of high-speed rotation (which causes particle penetration) into a beneficial effect by using the centrifugal forces generated to actively expel particles through the inclined vanes. The same high speed that could cause harm is transformed into a controlled separation mechanism that prevents particle penetration.
3Device complexity
If conventional vanes are used without inclined leading faces, then device complexity is low, but separation efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces inclination only to the leading faces of the vanes while keeping the rest of the vane structure relatively simple. This localized modification improves separation efficiency without requiring complete redesign of the entire vane structure, thus maintaining acceptable device complexity while achieving better separation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies a single geometric parameter (the inclination angle of the leading faces) rather than redesigning the entire vane structure. This parameter change achieves improved separation efficiency with minimal increase in device complexity, as it involves only a modification to the existing vane geometry rather than adding new components or structures.
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 improves separation efficiency by ensuring particles are effectively expelled from the air flow, reducing the risk of damage to internal components and enhancing overall cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
By the vacuum cleaner disclosed in US 2004/0068826 A1 air with airborne particulates and water droplets are being moved from the air inlet opening to the separator... The separator includes a cup shaped body having a bottom and a wall, further defined by a plurality of vanes extending upwardly from the bottom to an open top... The separator comprises vanes to force the air and the airborne particulates to rotate about the rotation axis of the separator. Due to centrifugal forces the airborne particulates will be moved away from the vanes.
Implementation Method 2
a separator rotatably arranged around a rotation axis, for creating, during use, a column of rotating air to separate at least a portion of the airborne particles from the flow of air
Implementation Method 3
the leading faces of the vanes are inclined with respect to the rotation axis for conveying the airborne particles at least in an axial direction to a zone of a reduced proportion between drag forces versus centrifugal forces
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner (1) comprises an inlet (13), an outlet, a fan (14) for creating a flow of air through the vacuum cleaner (1) by drawing air to be cleaned through the inlet (13) into the vacuum cleaner (1) and by exhausting air through the outlet outwardly of the vacuum cleaner (1) and a separator (15, 41). The separator (15, 41) is rotatably arranged around an rotation axis (21), for creating,during use, a column of rotating air to separate at least a portion of the airborne particles (10) from the flow of air. The separator (15, 41) includes a number of vanes (25, 44) for the creation of the column of rotating air, wherein each vane (25, 44) is provided with a leading face (26) and a trailing face (27). The leading faces (26) of the vanes (25, 44) are inclined with respect to the rotation axis (21) for conveying the airborne particles (10) at least in an axial direction.