Cyclonic Dirt Outlet Layout for Low-Flow Separation Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cyclonic air treatment systems in surface cleaning apparatus face challenges in efficiently separating dirt from air due to re-entrainment issues, particularly at low air flow rates, and require improved dirt collection mechanisms to enhance separation efficiency and capacity without increasing apparatus size.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a cyclone chamber with a dirt collection chamber connected via an axially extending dirt outlet that is longer than its width, and multiple dirt outlet regions or apertures to reduce re-entrainment and increase dirt collection efficiency, allowing for effective dirt separation and collection even at lower air flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dirt outlet is positioned at axial end of cyclone chamber, then dirt can be discharged from cyclone chamber, but disentrained dirt must be conveyed along cyclone sidewall which increases re-entrainment tendency
Solution Approach 1:
The dirt outlet is repositioned from the axial end to the sidewall of the cyclone chamber, changing the spatial dimension of dirt discharge. This allows dirt to exit radially outward through the sidewall rather than being conveyed axially along the sidewall to an end outlet, reducing re-entrainment while maintaining discharge efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
A dirt collection chamber is introduced as an intermediary component between the cyclone chamber and the external environment. Disentrained dirt falls into this collection chamber and is discharged through a dirt outlet, separating the dirt collection function from the air circulation path and preventing re-entrainment
2Quantity of substance
If cyclone chamber size is increased to improve dirt collection capacity, then more dirt can be collected, but apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dirt collection chamber is nested within or adjacent to the cyclone chamber, with the two chambers sharing space efficiently. The dirt collection chamber is positioned to utilize the same vertical space as the cyclone chamber, allowing increased dirt storage capacity without proportionally increasing the overall apparatus volume
Solution Approach 2:
The dirt collection chamber extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis, utilizing horizontal space rather than increasing vertical height. This allows increased dirt collection capacity while maintaining a compact overall apparatus size
3Use of energy by moving object
If air flow rate is reduced to operate at lower power, then energy consumption decreases, but dirt separation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air treatment system is segmented into multiple cyclone chambers arranged in parallel. Each cyclone chamber processes a portion of the total air flow, maintaining sufficient air velocity for effective dirt separation even when the total system operates at lower power. The segmented architecture allows the system to maintain separation efficiency across a wider range of operating conditions
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 enhances dirt separation efficiency and collection capacity, reducing re-entrainment and allowing the surface cleaning apparatus to operate effectively at lower air flow rates while maintaining a compact size, thereby improving overall cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
A cyclone has a dirt collection region. The dirt collection region may be internal of the cyclone chamber... as the air rotates in the cyclone chamber and dirt is disentrained, the disentrained dirt may be deposited into a dirt collection chamber
Implementation Method 2
as the air rotates in the cyclone chamber and dirt is disentrained... the tendency of dirt to be re-entrained in the air rotating in the cyclone chamber may be reduced
Data Source
AI summary
A hand vacuum cleaner comprises a cyclone comprising a front end having a cyclone air inlet, a rear end having a cyclone air outlet and a cyclone axis of rotation extending between the front end and the rear end of the cyclone. A conical pre-motor filter is positioned rearward of the cyclone. The pre-motor filter has a front end that faces that faces towards the cyclone air outlet. A suction motor is positioned rearward of the pre-motor filter. The suction motor has an inlet end that faces towards a rear end of the pre-motor filter. A handle is provided at the rear end of the hand vacuum cleaner and is positioned rearward of the suction motor. The handle has an energy storage member housing, The cyclone axis of rotation and the suction motor axis of rotation are parallel, and the handle axis extends at an angle to the cyclone axis of rotation and the suction motor axis of rotation.