Detachable Multi-Cyclone Dust Separator for Compact Vacuum Cleaners

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cyclone dust-separating apparatuses have low dust separating efficiency due to a single cyclone and increased volume when multiple cyclones are used, making maintenance and repair inconvenient, especially when only detachable parts can be removed, leaving fixed cyclones in a narrow space.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum cleaner design with a detachable multi cyclone dust-separating unit that includes a first cyclone unit for initial dust separation and a second cyclone unit for secondary separation, both detachably coupled and projected outside through openings in the cleaner body, allowing for easy maintenance and repair without significantly increasing the vacuum cleaner's size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single cyclone is used for dust separation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the dust separating efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoiddust separating efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The dust separating unit is divided into multiple independent cyclone units (first cyclone unit and second cyclone unit) that can be detachably coupled. Each cyclone unit independently performs dust separation, enabling multi-stage separation without requiring a single complex cyclone structure. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high dust separating efficiency while maintaining relatively simple individual component designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If multiple cyclones are used to improve dust separating efficiency, then the dust separating efficiency is improved, but the volume of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust separating efficiencyVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple cyclone units are arranged in a nested or compact configuration where the second cyclone unit is positioned above the first cyclone unit, sharing common structural elements such as the dust collecting unit and coupling mechanisms. This nesting approach allows multiple cyclones to be integrated into a compact assembly that achieves high dust separating efficiency without significantly increasing the overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cyclone units are arranged vertically in the height direction rather than horizontally, utilizing the vertical dimension to accommodate multiple cyclones. The first cyclone unit is disposed below the second cyclone unit, allowing efficient use of vertical space and maintaining a compact horizontal footprint while enabling multi-stage dust separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If only some parts are detachably installed in the cleaner body, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of repair deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation complexityVSAvoidmaintenance convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The dust separating unit is designed as a detachable module that can be completely removed from the cleaner body as a single unit. This segmentation allows the entire dust separating assembly (including multiple cyclone units) to be easily detached for maintenance and repair, eliminating the need to work in the narrow space within the cleaner body and significantly improving ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of repair

If the dust separating unit is made detachable for easy maintenance, then the ease of repair is improved, but the reliability of the connection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance convenienceVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism between the dust separating unit and cleaner body is designed to be dynamically switchable between a detached state for maintenance and a firmly coupled state for operation. The detachable coupling allows easy removal when needed while providing stable, reliable connection during normal operation, balancing ease of repair with connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 design enhances dust separating efficiency by using multiple cyclones while maintaining a compact vacuum cleaner size, allowing for easy detachment and repair of the dust separating unit, preventing the need for maintenance in a narrow space and improving overall cleaning performance.

Implementation Method 1

a first cyclone unit to draw in an air and to first centrifugally separate a dust from the air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 2

a second cyclone unit to second centrifugally separate a dust from the air discharged from the first cyclone unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentEP2201880B1Vacuum cleaner having detachable dust separating unit
Publication Date: 2013.09.25 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2201880B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2201880B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2201880B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vacuum cleaner having a detachable dust separating unit (50) is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body (10) having a first opening (11a) to open a portion of a first surface thereof and a second opening (11b) to open a portion of a second surface thereof, a dust separating unit (50) to separate a dust from an air, and a seating part (80) formed in the cleaner body (10) to detachably mount the dust separating unit (50) on the cleaner body (10). The dust separating unit (50) forms a portion of an outward appearance of the cleaner body (10) while closing up the first and the second openings (11a, 11b) of the cleaner body (10) when the dust separating unit (50) is mounted on the seating part (80).