Hand Vacuum Dirt Bin Layout for Higher Capacity Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface cleaning apparatuses with coaxial cyclones and dirt bins have limitations in dirt and water collection capacity and retention, leading to frequent emptying and re-entrainment of dirt due to central inlet design.
Innovation Solution
A surface cleaning apparatus with a dirt bin having an off-centre inlet, allowing for a larger cross-sectional area and reduced fluid flow effects, enhancing dirt retention and collection capacity, and incorporating a cyclonic cleaning stage with a dirt chamber design that minimizes re-entrainment by angling sidewalls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the dirt bin inlet is positioned centrally (coaxial with cyclone), then the structure is simple and symmetric, but the collection capacity is limited and dirt re-entrainment occurs due to fluid flow effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the dirt bin inlet off-center relative to the cyclone axis. The inlet is located at a radial distance of 0.1 to 0.4 times the cyclone inlet diameter from the cyclone center, creating an asymmetric configuration that reduces fluid flow effects and prevents dirt re-entrainment while maximizing collection capacity. This asymmetric inlet positioning is the core innovation that resolves the contradiction between collection capacity and structural simplicity.
2Quantity of substance
If the dirt chamber cross-sectional area is increased to enhance collection capacity, then more dirt and water can be collected, but the apparatus size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a dirt chamber with non-uniform cross-sectional area. The chamber has a larger cross-sectional area adjacent to the cyclone to maximize collection capacity, and the area tapers or reduces in other regions. This localized variation in cross-sectional area allows the chamber to hold more dirt and water where needed while controlling the overall apparatus size and complexity.
3Productivity
If the inlet is positioned closer to the cyclone center, then the fluid flow path is shorter, but dirt re-entrainment increases due to fluid flow effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric inlet positioning at an optimal radial distance (0.1 to 0.4 times the cyclone inlet diameter) to balance cleaning efficiency and dirt retention. This asymmetric position is far enough from the center to avoid fluid flow effects that cause re-entrainment, yet positioned to maintain effective cleaning productivity.
4Quantity of substance
If the dirt bin is positioned directly below the cyclone (coaxial), then the structure is compact, but the collection capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the dirt bin below the cyclone but offset from the central axis, and by giving the dirt chamber a non-uniform cross-sectional area that is larger adjacent to the cyclone. This allows maximum collection capacity in the critical region near the cyclone outlet while keeping the overall apparatus volume compact through tapered or reduced sections elsewhere in the chamber.
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 off-centre dirt bin inlet design increases the collection capacity and reduces the frequency of emptying, while the angled sidewalls prevent dirt re-entrainment, resulting in improved dirt retention and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a cyclonic cleaning stage in the fluid flow path and comprising at least one cyclone chamber
Implementation Method 2
Each cleaning stage may include a single cyclone, or a plurality of cyclones positioned in parallel
Implementation Method 3
by positioning the inlet off centre, the part of the dirt chamber distal to the inlet is more isolated from any fluid flow effects at the dirt inlet, thereby enhancing dirt retention in the dirt chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A hand vacuum cleaner is provided with a wand mounted to the dirty fluid inlet of the hand vacuum cleaner and the wand has a distal inlet that is mounted on a surface cleaning head. The hand vacuum cleaner has a cyclonic cleaning stage and the fluid flow motor is displaced vertically with respect to dirty fluid inlet.