Cyclonic Vacuum Separator with Movable Screen Wipe for Debris Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaners with cyclonic separators face issues with debris trapping between the central shroud and bin, leading to inconvenient emptying and potential clogging, and complex shroud wiping mechanisms prone to mechanical failure.
Innovation Solution
A separating apparatus with a movable second cyclonic separating unit and an annular elastomeric wipe secured to the first cyclonic unit, allowing for easy cleaning of the screen by moving the second unit, which draws debris off the tubular screen and prevents accidental operation of the vacuum cleaner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a bin is used to collect dirt in a cyclonic separator, then debris can be collected and stored, but bundles of carpet fibres, hair or other bulky debris can become trapped between the central shroud and the bin, making emptying inconvenient and potentially causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the problematic trapped debris from between the shroud and bin by introducing a wiping mechanism that actively removes debris clinging to the shroud surface, preventing bundles of carpet fibres and hair from becoming trapped and making emptying convenient
Solution Approach 2:
The wiping mechanism is designed to be automatically actuated by the user's own action of removing the bin from the cyclonic separator housing, so the user does not need to manually operate a separate wiping mechanism - the act of bin removal itself triggers the wiping action
2Object-generated harmful factors
If shroud wiping mechanisms are used to remove debris clinging to the shroud, then debris removal is achieved, but the mechanisms tend to be complex and difficult to manufacture, and awkward to use and prone to mechanical failure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential wiping function, using a simple wipe element that can be any convenient shape and is made from any convenient material, eliminating the need for complex mechanical wiping mechanisms while still achieving effective debris removal from the shroud
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the approach from mechanical wiping to a simpler contact-based wiping mechanism, where the wipe element's material properties and contact pressure are optimized rather than using complex mechanical actuation, making the system easier to manufacture and less prone to failure
3Quantity of substance
If the bin is not emptied completely, then large debris can remain in the bin and become trapped between the dirt collector and the bin base, but complete emptying requires complex mechanisms or complete bin detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the problem of incomplete emptying by providing a wiping mechanism that actively removes debris from the shroud surface, ensuring that even debris that clings to the shroud is removed, so complete emptying is achieved without requiring complex mechanisms or complete bin detachment
Solution Approach 2:
The wiping mechanism performs a preliminary cleaning action on the shroud before the bin is fully removed from the housing, preventing debris from being left behind and potentially causing clogging downstream, ensuring complete emptying as a preliminary step to bin removal
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
The solution simplifies debris removal, reduces mechanical complexity, and prevents clogging by ensuring complete emptying of the bin and preventing debris from entering the motor inlet, enhancing user safety and maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first cyclonic separating unit (18, 208) comprising a first cyclonic separator (24, 214) having a separator axis
Implementation Method 2
a cyclonic separator comprising a bin for collecting dirt separated by the first cyclonic separating unit
Implementation Method 3
a wipe for cleaning the screen, wherein the wipe is secured to the first cyclonic separating unit such that movement of the second cyclonic separating unit from the first position to the second position moves the screen relative to the wipe thereby cleaning debris from the screen
Implementation Method 4
The wipe may comprise an elastomeric material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A separating apparatus (6) comprising a first cyclonic separating unit (18) comprising a first cyclonic separator (22) having a separator axis X, a second cyclonic separating unit (20) comprising a second cyclonic separator (44), the second cyclonic separating unit (20) being movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the first separating unit (18) in a direction which is parallel with the separator axis, a screen (40) disposed within the first cyclonic separator (22) such that it extends parallel with the separator axis X. The screen is connected to the second cyclonic separating unit (20) for movement with the second cyclonic separating unit. The separating apparatus (6) comprises a wipe (42) for cleaning the screen (40), wherein the wipe (42) is secured to the first cyclonic separating unit (18) such that movement of the second cyclonic separating unit (20) from the first position to the second position moves the screen (40) relative to the wipe (42) thereby cleaning debris from the screen (40).