Cyclonic Vacuum Pre-Motor Filter Design to Reduce Dirt Re-Entrainment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cyclonic air treatment systems in surface cleaning apparatuses face challenges in efficiently separating dirt from air due to re-entrainment issues, particularly at low air flow rates, and require designs that minimize backpressure and enhance dirt collection capacity without increasing the apparatus's 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, multiple dirt outlet regions, and a plurality of apertures or perforations, allowing for effective dirt separation and collection while reducing re-entrainment and backpressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional cyclone chamber is used with a standard dirt outlet configuration, then the apparatus size is compact, but dirt re-entrainment occurs particularly at low air flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclone chamber is divided into multiple functional zones with different dirt outlet regions positioned at specific locations. The dirt collection chamber is segmented into an upper region and lower region with separate outlet pathways, allowing dirt to be removed at different stages of the cyclonic flow without disrupting the overall separation process
Solution Approach 2:
A bridge passage connects the upper and lower regions of the dirt collection chamber, serving as an intermediary pathway that allows dirt to transition between regions while maintaining separation from the main air flow. This intermediary structure prevents direct exposure of collected dirt to the cyclonic air stream
2Productivity
If the dirt outlet width is increased to improve dirt removal, then dirt collection capacity increases, but backpressure in the cyclone chamber increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dirt outlet configuration transitions from a single wide opening to multiple narrower outlets distributed across different axial positions and regions. This dimensional redistribution allows equivalent or greater total dirt removal area while maintaining lower individual outlet velocities and reduced backpressure
3Reliability
If multiple dirt outlet regions are added to improve dirt separation, then dirt collection efficiency increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dirt collection chamber serves multiple functions: it collects dirt from different cyclone chamber regions, acts as a transition zone for dirt particles, provides structural support for the outlet configuration, and maintains pressure balance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components
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 at various air flow rates, reduces re-entrainment, and increases the dirt collection capacity without enlarging the apparatus, particularly beneficial for handheld vacuum cleaners.
Implementation Method 1
A cyclone has a dirt collection region. The dirt collection region may be internal of the cyclone chamber
Implementation Method 2
as the air rotates in the cyclone chamber and dirt is disentrained, the disentrained dirt may be deposited into a dirt collection chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A hand vacuum cleaner comprises a cyclone, a conical pre-motor filter that is positioned rearward of the cyclone and a suction motor. The pre-motor filter has a front end that faces towards the cyclone air outlet. The conical pre-motor filter has an open interior volume, an outer surface, which is an upstream surface of the pre-motor filter, and an inner surface, which is a downstream surface of the pre-motor filter.