Method for operating a vacuum cleaner with a cyclone separator and vacuum cleaner with a cyclone separator

Solution Overview

Problem

Cyclone vacuum cleaners face reduced separating capacity during switch-on, leading to dust and dirt particles passing through the cyclone and potentially clogging the post-filter or blower, due to insufficient centrifugal forces for vortex formation.

Innovation Solution

A valve device is arranged between the receiving device and the blower or cyclone separator, which only opens the flow path when a predetermined minimum volume flow or pressure is reached, ensuring effective pick-up only after sufficient centrifugal forces are generated, potentially using a pressure sensor or control device to manage this.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the blower is started immediately without sufficient volume flow, then the vacuum cleaner can be switched on quickly, but dust and dirt particles pass through the cyclone separator and clog the post-filter or blower

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestart-up speedVSAvoidseparation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The blower is activated in advance during a pre-phase before the intake device is activated. This preliminary action allows the blower to build up sufficient volume flow and centrifugal forces in the cyclone separator before dust particles are drawn in, ensuring immediate effective separation when vacuuming begins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses dynamic control of the blower operation, transitioning from a pre-phase with blower only to a main phase with both blower and intake device active. This dynamic operation ensures the cyclone separator always has sufficient centrifugal force when particles need separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a valve assembly is added to control the flow path switching, then separation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidvalve assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A valve assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the intake device and the cyclone separator. This valve controls the flow path switching during pre-phase and main phase, enabling the system to achieve reliable separation by preventing particles from entering when centrifugal forces are insufficient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the cyclone separator is used during the start-up phase, then dust particles are immediately separated, but centrifugal forces are insufficient and particles pass through

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust separationVSAvoidcentrifugal force

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The blower is activated in advance during a pre-phase before the intake device is activated. This preliminary action allows the blower to build up sufficient volume flow and centrifugal forces in the cyclone separator before dust particles are drawn in, ensuring immediate effective separation when vacuuming begins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses dynamic control of the blower operation, transitioning from a pre-phase with blower only to a main phase with both blower and intake device active. This dynamic operation ensures the cyclone separator always has sufficient centrifugal force when particles need separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Prevents dust and dirt from entering the cyclone during switch-on and blower run-up, reducing clogging and extending filter life, with options for automatic switching based on pressure or fan speed.

Implementation Method 1

Dust separation in such vacuum cleaners is achieved by creating a vortex in the air mixed with dust and dirt. With sufficient centrifugal force, only the lighter air is then passed on, while the heavier dust and dirt particles remain in the collection container of the cyclone separator.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

Dust separation in such vacuum cleaners is achieved by creating a vortex in the air mixed with dust and dirt.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVortex formation: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 3

The minimum pressure value can be determined by a pressure sensor located in the flow path between the valve assembly and the blower.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-dependent control: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2543302B1Method for operating a vacuum cleaner with a cyclone separator and vacuum cleaner with a cyclone separator

Publication Date: 2020.09.09 MIELE & CO KG

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AI summary

The method involves arranging a receiving device (4) for air-dust mixture on the suction side (23) of a motor-driven blower (2). The dust separator in form of a cyclone separator (5) and an afterfilter (6) is arranged between the receiving device and the blower. The valve unit (7) is arranged between the receiving device and the blower. The flow path is primarily shifted from the receiving device to the blower through the cyclone separator with the valve unit during existence of minimum value for the volume flow generated by the blower or a parameter correlating with the volume flow. An independent claim is included for a vacuum cleaner with a motor-driven blower and a device for receiving air-dust mixture.