Dual-Stage Cyclonic Separator with Vertical Dirt Chamber Extension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cyclonic separation devices for surface cleaning appliances face inefficiencies in separating fine dust and debris from dirt-laden air, particularly due to suboptimal design dimensions and configurations of their component parts.

Innovation Solution

The cyclonic separator device includes a first separating chamber with a cylindrical portion and a second separating chamber with a frusto-conical portion, optimized dimensions and ratios between their components, such as height and diameter ratios, and a shroud with specific dimensions to enhance the separation efficiency of coarse and fine dust, with a baffle for improved dirt collection and reduced re-deposition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the second dirt collection chamber is enlarged to increase collection capacity, then the dirt collection capacity increases, but the width of the second dirt collection chamber increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirt collection capacityVSAvoidwidth of second dirt collection chamber
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the first portion of the second dirt collection chamber vertically into the space S2 defined by the shroud, utilizing the vertical dimension rather than expanding horizontally. This allows increased dirt collection capacity while maintaining a compact width profile, directly resolving the technical contradiction between collection capacity and chamber width.

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

2Reliability

If the cyclonic separator uses conventional design dimensions, then the device structure is simple, but the separation efficiency of fine dust is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes specific dimensional parameters including the height D of the shroud's cylindrical portion, the height H of the first portion of the second dirt collection chamber, and their ratio H:D. These parameter optimizations enhance fine dust separation efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure, resolving the contradiction between separation efficiency and design complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If the first portion of the second dirt collection chamber extends into space S2, then the dirt collection capacity increases without increasing width, but the space S2 is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirt collection capacityVSAvoidspace S2 volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by extending the first portion of the second dirt collection chamber upward into space S2, thereby increasing dirt collection capacity without expanding the horizontal footprint. This dimensional approach allows efficient use of available vertical space while maintaining compact overall device dimensions.

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

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 optimized design significantly enhances the separation efficiency of fine dust and debris, increasing the dirt collection capacity without increasing the width of the second dirt collection chamber, thereby improving overall cleaning performance and reducing re-deposition of dirt.

Implementation Method 1

a cyclonic separator device for removing dust or debris from dirt-laden air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

the inlet is configured to direct the incoming dirt-laden air into said generally cylindrical portion such that it travels circumferentially around an inner surface of the first separating chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3641610B1Cyclonic separator device
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 TECHTRONIC FLOOR CARE TECH LTD
  • EP3641610B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3641610B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3641610B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cyclonic separator device for removing dust or debris from dirt-laden air, the device including: a first separating chamber for separating relatively coarse dust or debris from the dirt-laden air; an inlet through which dirt-laden air is drawn into the first separating chamber; a first dirt collection chamber in communication with the first separating chamber; a shroud; a second separating chamber positioned generally within the shroud for separating relatively fine dust or debris from the dirt-laden air cleaned by the first separating chamber, a second dirt collection chamber in communication with the second separating chamber; an outlet through which cleaner air exits the second separating chamber; wherein the first separating chamber includes a generally cylindrical portion with a central axis and wherein the inlet is configured to direct the incoming dirt-laden air into said generally cylindrical portion such that it travels circumferentially around an inner surface of the first separating chamber, wherein the shroud is positioned generally centrally of the generally cylindrical portion of the first separating chamber and the shroud has a generally cylindrical portion having a height D with openings therein for the passage of air, wherein the second dirt collection chamber includes: an inlet through which cleaned dirt-laden air exiting the first separating chamber is drawn into the second separating chamber; a generally frusto-conical portion with a central axis and the generally frusto-conical portion has an end part in communication with the second dirt collection chamber through which fine dust or debris exits therethrough into the second dirt collection chamber, and wherein the inlet of the second dirt collection chamber is configured to direct the incoming said cleaned dirt-laden air such that it travels circumferentially around an inner surface of the generally frusto-conical portion, and wherein a first portion of the second dirt collection chamber surrounds an outer surface of the end part of the generally frusto-conical to define a space S1 therebetween and said first portion of the second dirt collection chamber extends into a space S2 defined by the inner surface of the generally cylindrical portion of the shroud having said openings therein.