External Dirt Chamber Cyclone Layout to Prevent Re-Entrainment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cyclonic separators in vacuum cleaners face the challenge of re-entrainment of separated particulate matter due to high-speed cyclonic flows, which existing designs struggle to effectively mitigate.
Innovation Solution
A filtration apparatus with a separate, openable dirt collection chamber external to the cyclone chamber, allowing for easy removal of collected material and eliminating obstructions during cyclone opening, thereby preventing re-entrainment and facilitating efficient particulate separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plate is positioned in the cyclone container to divide it into upper and lower chambers, then re-entrainment of separated particulate matter is impeded, but the device complexity increases and the cyclone chamber has obstructions that may impede dirt removal
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclone system is divided into two independent parts: the cyclone chamber for separation and an external dirt collection chamber for storage. This segmentation eliminates the need for internal dividing plates while preventing re-entrainment by directing separated particles externally.
Solution Approach 2:
The dirt collection function is extracted from the cyclone chamber and placed in a separate external chamber. This removes obstructions from the cyclone chamber, allowing unimpeded dirt removal while maintaining separation effectiveness.
2Manufacturing precision
If the cyclone chamber includes internal structures such as vortex finder shrouds or deflector discs, then separation efficiency is improved, but these structures create impediments to dirt falling out when the cyclone is opened
Solution Approach 1:
The vortex finder and deflector disc are positioned such that they are outside the cyclone chamber or removed when the chamber is opened. This maintains their separation function while eliminating impediments to dirt removal.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the vortex finder inside the cyclone chamber, it is positioned outside or on the boundary. This inverts the conventional arrangement, allowing the chamber to be opened freely for dirt removal while maintaining separation efficiency.
3Device complexity
If the dirt collection chamber is integrated within the cyclone casing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cyclone cannot be opened for easy dirt removal
Solution Approach 1:
The dirt collection chamber is segmented from the cyclone chamber and positioned externally. This allows the cyclone chamber to be opened independently for easy dirt removal while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The dirt collection chamber is positioned in a different spatial location (external to the cyclone casing) rather than integrating it within the same space. This dimensional separation enables easy access for dirt removal while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 achieves a high separation efficiency for targeted particle sizes, with 98% of particles between 3-5 microns and 96.5% of particles between 1-2 microns being removed, while allowing for simpler emptying of collected dirt with fewer user steps and reduced risk of re-entrainment.
Implementation Method 1
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
Implementation Method 2
separated particulate matter exposed to a high-speed cyclonic flow have a tendency to be re-entrained
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a filtration apparatus comprising a cyclone and an openable dirt collection chamber in communication with the cyclone dirt outlet. The dirt collection chamber has an openable end portion that comprises a wall that is intersected by the longitudinally extending axis, and when the end portion is in an open position, the cyclone chamber has an absence of any member having a larger diameter than the vortex finder whereby the dirt collection chamber and the cyclone are concurrently emptyable when the dirt collection chamber is opened.