Dirt-collection chamber and suction head for a vacuum cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cyclonic dirt-collection chambers face issues with trapped debris, airborne dust during emptying, space efficiency, and blockages due to the separation of fibrous and fine dust, and the complexity of emptying compressed dirt bales, which can lead to spillage and reduced collection capacity.
Innovation Solution
A dirt-collection chamber with a slidably mounted dirt-removal panel that allows for easy ejection of compressed dirt and debris without manual breaking, a full-width inlet and outlet design, and a baffle to compact dirt into layers, reducing airborne dust and eliminating the need for a 'max. fill' line, along with a flexible filter for easy cleaning and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cyclonic dirt-collection chamber with perforated shroud is used to separate fine dust from fibrous debris, then dirt and debris can be collected in separate cavities, but dirt and debris become trapped between the perforated shroud and the wall of the outer cavity making it difficult to empty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fibrous debris from the outer cavity through a dedicated fibrous debris outlet that is separate from the fine dust outlet. This allows the fine dust and fibrous debris to be emptied through different openings, preventing the trapping problem that occurs when both types of debris must exit through the same perforated shroud opening.
2Ease of operation
If the lid of the dirt-collection chamber is opened at the disposal site to empty the chamber, then the chamber can be emptied, but fine dust becomes airborne and disperses into the surrounding environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the emptying process by providing separate outlets for fine dust and fibrous debris. The fine dust can be emptied first through its dedicated outlet while the chamber remains closed, minimizing airborne dust. The fibrous debris is then emptied separately, preventing the interaction that causes dust to become airborne.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sealed cap that covers the fine dust outlet during operation. This intermediary component prevents fine dust from becoming airborne when the chamber is handled or transported to the disposal site, as the cap maintains the seal until the chamber is properly positioned for emptying.
3Quantity of substance
If the dirt-collection chamber is filled to maximize collection capacity, then more dirt can be collected, but the chamber becomes difficult to empty and may require shaking which exacerbates dust dispersion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dirt-collection chamber into two separate collection spaces: an outer cavity for fibrous debris and an inner cavity for fine dust. This segmentation allows each type of debris to be collected to its own maximum capacity without interfering with the emptying of the other, as each has its own dedicated outlet.
4Ease of operation
If a disposable bag is used in the dirt-collection chamber, then the chamber can be easily emptied by replacing the bag, but the filter cannot be cleaned and reused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the filter as a reusable component that can be removed, cleaned, and reinstalled. The filter is positioned such that it can be accessed and removed through the lid opening, allowing users to clean the filter themselves without requiring replacement, thus eliminating filter waste while maintaining ease of chamber emptying.
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
Facilitates easy and spill-free emptying of dirt, reduces airborne dust dispersion, increases collection capacity, and ensures the filter is cleaned frequently for optimal vacuum performance.
Implementation Method 1
Cyclonic dirt-collection chambers are known. They often have an outer cavity for fibrous dirt and an inner cavity for fine dirt and dust.
Implementation Method 2
The air and fine dirt and dust passes from the outer cavity to the inner cavity by way of a perforated shroud.
Implementation Method 3
The filter is located within the cover or lid of the dirt-collection chamber and is removed with the dirt-collection chamber.
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to a dirt-collection chamber (10) for a vacuum cleaner, and in particular a dirt-collection chamber (10) which is removable whereby the collected dirt can easily be disposed of. The dirt-collection chamber (10) has an air inlet (22) and an air outlet (62), a filter (60) between the air inlet (22) and the air outlet (62), and a disposal opening with an openable cover (16). The dirt-collection chamber (10) has a dirt-removal panel (40) in the chamber which is movable towards and away from the disposal opening to assist in the disposal of collected dirt and debris.