Hand Vacuum Cyclone Thin-Wall Design to Reduce Back-Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reducing the size and weight of hand vacuum cleaners while maintaining air flow efficiency is challenging due to increased back-pressure from reduced cross-sectional flow areas, which can decrease cleaning efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Thinning the wall thickness of cyclone components, such as the air inlet and vortex finder, to increase the cross-sectional flow area and reduce back-pressure, while maintaining or enhancing air flow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the dimensions of cyclone components are reduced to decrease size and weight, then the compactness and portability are improved, but the cross-sectional flow area is reduced which increases back-pressure and reduces cleaning efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the cyclone assembly have different wall thicknesses. Specifically, the vortex finder has a reduced wall thickness (0.001 to 0.06 inches) compared to traditional uniform thickness, while other structural components maintain sufficient thickness for strength. This localized thinning of critical flow path components increases the cross-sectional flow area without compromising the overall structural integrity of the device, thereby reducing back-pressure and maintaining cleaning efficiency in compact designs.
2Productivity
If the wall thickness of cyclone components is reduced to increase cross-sectional flow area, then the back-pressure is reduced and air flow efficiency is improved, but the structural strength and durability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by selectively reducing wall thickness only in the vortex finder and specific cyclone chamber regions where it most effectively increases cross-sectional flow area and reduces back-pressure. Other structural components maintain adequate wall thickness to ensure structural strength and durability. This targeted approach optimizes air flow efficiency without compromising the overall structural integrity of the cyclone assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by specifying precise wall thickness ranges (0.001 to 0.06 inches, and more specifically 0.002 to 0.03 inches or 0.005 to 0.015 inches) for the vortex finder and other thin-walled portions. These controlled parameter adjustments optimize the balance between increasing cross-sectional flow area for reduced back-pressure and maintaining sufficient structural strength for durable operation.
3Volume of moving object
If the diameter of the cyclone is reduced to decrease device size, then the compactness is improved, but the cross-sectional flow area is significantly reduced which increases back-pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by reducing the wall thickness of the vortex finder and specific cyclone chamber portions to compensate for the reduced overall cyclone diameter. This localized thinning creates additional cross-sectional flow area within the compact cyclone structure, effectively reducing back-pressure despite the smaller overall size, thereby enabling compact design without sacrificing air flow performance.
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
Significantly increases the cross-sectional flow area and reduces back-pressure, enhancing the cleaning efficiency of hand vacuum cleaners without increasing the size or weight of the device.
Implementation Method 1
cyclone for a surface cleaning apparatus
Implementation Method 2
centrifugal force to separate particles from air flow through rotational motion
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus comprising a cyclone, a pre-motor filter and a suction motor positioned in an air flow path. The pre-motor filter has an open interior passage having a passage axis. The cyclone axis of rotation, the passage axis and the motor axis of rotation are parallel.