Surface cleaning apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaners with smaller suction motors produce less suction, reducing cleaning efficiency due to lower air flow velocity at the dirty air inlet.

Innovation Solution

The vacuum cleaner design eliminates or reduces the size of the vortex finder in the cyclone chamber, allowing a screen to function as a vortex finder under certain air flow conditions, thereby improving cleaning performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a smaller suction motor is used to reduce weight, then the weight of the vacuum cleaner is reduced, but the suction and air flow velocity at the dirty air inlet are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of vacuum cleanerVSAvoidair flow velocity at dirty air inlet

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The vortex finder is removed from the cyclone chamber, extracting the component that was creating back pressure and restricting air flow. This allows the smaller motor to maintain sufficient air flow velocity by eliminating the unnecessary restriction in the air path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The design changes the air flow parameters by removing the vortex finder, which alters the pressure distribution and flow characteristics in the cyclone chamber. This parameter change compensates for the reduced motor power, allowing smaller motors to achieve adequate air flow velocity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a vortex finder is provided in the cyclone chamber, then hair and larger dirt particles are prevented from exiting, but back pressure is produced that reduces air flow velocity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of hair and dirt particle exitVSAvoidair flow velocity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The vortex finder is completely removed from the cyclone chamber design. The function of preventing hair and dirt particles from exiting is achieved through alternative means (cyclone geometry and screen at the air outlet) rather than through the vortex finder structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The screen at the cyclone air outlet performs multiple functions: it prevents hair and larger particles from exiting while simultaneously minimizing back pressure. This multi-functional approach replaces the traditional vortex finder's particle prevention function without its harmful back pressure effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If the vortex finder extends deeply into the cyclone chamber, then particle separation is improved, but the back pressure increases and cleaning efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle separation efficiencyVSAvoidcleaning efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The vortex finder extending into the cyclone chamber is removed entirely. Particle separation efficiency is maintained through optimized cyclone chamber geometry and the positioning of the screen at the air outlet, eliminating the need for deep vortex finder extension that caused back pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The design optimizes the cyclone chamber dimensions, inlet geometry, and outlet screen positioning to achieve effective particle separation without the back pressure penalty. These parameter changes allow the system to maintain separation efficiency while preserving air flow velocity for cleaning efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration enhances cleaning performance by maintaining air flow velocity and efficiency despite the use of smaller suction motors, while also reducing weight and improving battery life.

Implementation Method 1

Air is drawn into the vacuum cleaners through a dirty air inlet and conveyed to a cyclone inlet. The rotation of the air in the cyclone results in some of the particulate matter in the airflow stream being disentrained from the airflow stream.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

The rotation of the air in the cyclone results in some of the particulate matter in the airflow stream being disentrained from the airflow stream.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

The suction motor must produce sufficient suction to draw air through the air flow passage through the vacuum cleaner, including through the air treatment members.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction