External Cyclone Filtration Chamber for Screen Cleaning Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaners with cyclonic filtration systems require frequent cleaning or replacement of internal screens or shrouds to prevent clogging, which complicates maintenance and reduces operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Positioning a large screen or filtration member exterior to the cyclone, allowing it to be accessed and cleaned without opening the cyclone chamber, and optionally providing a removable filtration chamber for easy emptying and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a screen or shroud is positioned inside the cyclone chamber to prevent clogging, then the cyclone outlet is protected, but the device complexity increases and maintenance becomes difficult requiring access to the cyclone chamber

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecyclone outlet protectionVSAvoidfiltration system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The screen is extracted from the cyclone chamber interior and positioned in a filtration chamber exterior to the cyclone. This allows the screen to perform its filtration function while being accessible for cleaning without requiring access to the cyclone chamber, thereby reducing device complexity and easing maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Duration of action of moving object

If a large screen is provided to enhance filtration capacity, then the duration between maintenance cycles increases, but the cyclone chamber size would be reduced if positioned inside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime between maintenance cyclesVSAvoidcyclone chamber volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The screen is relocated from the three-dimensional interior space of the cyclone chamber to an exterior filtration chamber. This dimensional relocation allows a large screen surface area to be provided without encroaching on the cyclone chamber volume, as the screen now occupies external space while maintaining its filtration function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the screen is positioned inside the cyclone chamber, then it can filter air effectively, but cleaning requires opening the cyclone chamber which reduces operational efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair filtration effectivenessVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The screen is extracted from the cyclone chamber and placed in an exterior filtration chamber that can be opened independently. This allows the screen to maintain its filtration function while enabling cleaning access without opening the cyclone chamber, thus preserving operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If a shroud or screen is provided inside the cyclone to inhibit hair and larger matter, then downstream clogging is prevented, but the ease of operation for cleaning is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedownstream clogging preventionVSAvoidscreen cleaning convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

An exterior filtration chamber is introduced as an intermediary structure that houses the screen separately from the cyclone chamber. This intermediary chamber provides easy access for screen cleaning through its own access door, while the screen continues to perform its function of preventing downstream clogging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enhances the duration between maintenance cycles, maintains optimal cleaning efficiency, and prevents clogging of the cyclone outlet, allowing for uninterrupted use without reducing the cyclone chamber size.

Implementation Method 1

a cyclone, or multiple cyclones connected in parallel or series, is known to be advantageous in the separation of particulate matter from a fluid stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

The use of a cyclone, or multiple cyclones connected in parallel or series, is known to be advantageous in the separation of particulate matter from a fluid stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

a screen, such as a mesh wire screen, is positioned exterior to the cyclone in a filtration chamber, e.g., adjacent the cyclone air outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8677558B2Cyclonic surface cleaning apparatus with a filtration chamber external to the cyclone

Publication Date: 2014.03.25 OMACHRON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INC

AI summary

A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a filtration apparatus comprising a cyclone downstream from the dirty air inlet and an openable filtration chamber comprising a screen downstream from the cyclone and upstream from the suction motor. The filtration chamber is accordingly a separate volume to that of the cyclone chamber and accordingly may be accessed to clean the screen independently of opening the cyclone chamber.