Hand Vacuum Cleaner Cyclonic Stage Layout to Reduce Overall Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cyclone cleaning stages in surface cleaning apparatuses often require additional filters to capture particulate matter that was not removed by upstream air treatment members, leading to increased complexity and size.
Innovation Solution
A downstream cyclonic cleaning stage with multiple cyclones arranged in parallel, featuring sideways dirt outlets that direct particulate matter radially into a dirt collection plenum positioned radially outwardly of the cyclones, allowing for a more compact design and efficient particulate removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional filters are provided to capture particulate matter not removed by upstream air treatment members, then particulate removal efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air treatment system is divided into multiple sequential stages: an upstream air treatment member (first cyclone) followed by a downstream cyclonic cleaning stage with multiple cyclones in parallel. Each stage handles different portions of particulate matter removal, with the downstream stage specifically targeting finer particles that escape the upstream stage, thereby improving overall removal efficiency without requiring traditional filters
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses cyclonic action (a pneumatic principle) in both the upstream and downstream stages to separate particulate matter from air flow. The downstream cyclones utilize centrifugal force generated by rotating air flow to capture remaining particles, replacing the need for mechanical filters and maintaining efficiency through fluid dynamics alone
2Reliability
If traditional cyclone configurations are used, then particulate removal is achieved, but the overall length of the cyclonic cleaning stage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dirt outlets of the downstream cyclones are positioned on the lateral walls rather than at the axial ends, directing dirt discharge in a radial direction perpendicular to the cyclone axis. This sideways discharge configuration allows multiple cyclones to be arranged in parallel within a compact axial space, reducing the overall length of the cleaning stage while maintaining effective particulate removal
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple downstream cyclones are arranged in parallel with their dirt outlets discharging sideways into a common dirt collection plenum. This merging of discharge paths allows the system to achieve high particulate removal capacity through multiple cyclones without proportionally increasing the overall length, as all cyclones share a compact footprint along the air flow direction
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
This configuration enhances the efficiency of particulate removal, potentially eliminating the need for pre-motor filters and enabling a more compact and effective cyclonic cleaning stage, while maintaining airflow efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a downstream cyclonic cleaning stage with multiple cyclones arranged in parallel, featuring sideways dirt outlets that direct particulate matter radially into a dirt collection plenum
Implementation Method 2
sideways dirt outlets that direct particulate matter radially into a dirt collection plenum positioned radially outwardly of the cyclones
Data Source
AI summary
A hand vacuum cleaner has an upstream air treatment stage having an upstream air treatment member and a longitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends of the downstream air treatment stage, and a downstream air treatment stage a downstream air treatment member and a downstream dirt collection chamber that is exterior to the downstream air treatment member. The downstream air treatment member is positioned rearward of the upstream air treatment member. The downstream dirt collection chamber extends forward of the downstream air treatment member to a location that is forward of the rear end of the upstream air treatment stage.