Cyclonic Separator with Dual Vortex Finders to Reduce Debris Wrapping

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaners face issues with debris, particularly fibrous materials like hair, wrapping around vortex finders in cyclonic separators, leading to blockages and reduced performance, and require frequent filter cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A cyclonic separator design without an arrestor plate, featuring vortex finders spaced apart to prevent debris wrapping, and a configuration allowing parallel or series operation, enhancing separation efficiency and reducing blockages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If vortex finders are placed close together in a cyclonic separator, then the device complexity is reduced, but debris wrapping around vortex finders causes blockages and reduces separation efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecyclonic separator structureVSAvoiddebris separation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cyclonic separator is divided into multiple independent cyclone chambers (first cyclone chamber and second cyclone chamber), each with its own vortex finder. This segmentation allows debris to be separated in multiple stages without wrapping around a single vortex finder, maintaining separation efficiency while simplifying the overall structure by using modular chambers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An arrestor plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the cyclone chambers and vortex finders. This plate prevents debris from directly contacting and wrapping around the vortex finders, thereby eliminating blockages while maintaining the simplified structural arrangement of closely-spaced vortex finders.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If an arrestor plate is added to prevent debris wrapping, then blockages are reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblockage preventionVSAvoidcyclonic separator structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cyclonic separator is divided into multiple independent cyclone chambers (first cyclone chamber and second cyclone chamber), each with its own vortex finder. This segmentation allows debris to be separated in multiple stages without wrapping around a single vortex finder, maintaining separation efficiency while simplifying the overall structure by using modular chambers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An arrestor plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the cyclone chambers and vortex finders. This plate prevents debris from directly contacting and wrapping around the vortex finders, thereby eliminating blockages while maintaining the simplified structural arrangement of closely-spaced vortex finders.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If single cyclone chamber is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity of debris separation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecyclonic separator structureVSAvoiddebris separation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cyclonic separator is divided into multiple independent cyclone chambers (first cyclone chamber and second cyclone chamber), each with its own vortex finder. This segmentation allows debris to be separated in multiple stages without wrapping around a single vortex finder, maintaining separation efficiency while simplifying the overall structure by using modular chambers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple cyclone chambers are merged into a single integrated cyclonic separator unit with a common housing and coordinated airflow path. This combining of multiple separation stages into one device increases productivity and debris separation efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity, as the chambers work together in sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Improves debris separation efficiency, reduces blockages, and extends the time between filter cleanings, ensuring consistent vacuum cleaner performance.

Implementation Method 1

a cyclone unit is configured to filter dust from air sucked through the suction unit using a centrifugal force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

WO 2008/114966 A1 discloses a dust separating apparatus of a vacuum cleaner including a cyclone in which a plurality of cyclone airflows is formed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentEP3914136B1Cyclonic separator for a vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner having the same

Publication Date: 2025.09.24 SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC

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AI summary

A vacuum cleaner may include a suction motor and a cyclonic separator fluidly coupled to the suction motor. The cyclonic separator may include a chamber and a first and a second vortex finder extending within the chamber. The first and second vortex finders may extend from opposing sides of the chamber