Surface cleaning apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand vacuum cleaners with cyclonic cleaning stages are bulky, making them less maneuverable and unable to clean effectively in tight spaces due to their large size and design limitations.
Innovation Solution
A hand vacuum cleaner design featuring a multistage cyclone construction with a first stage cyclone and a second stage cyclone that is at least partially nested within the first stage, along with a screen positioned around the second stage cyclone to enhance air flow and circulation, allowing for a compact and more maneuverable device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hand vacuum cleaner uses traditional cyclonic cleaning stages, then effective dirt collection is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and less maneuverable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested cyclone configuration where a second-stage cyclone is positioned inside the first-stage cyclone chamber. This nesting arrangement allows both cyclonic cleaning stages to function simultaneously while occupying reduced overall space, thereby maintaining dirt collection effectiveness while improving maneuverability in tight spaces
2Ease of operation
If the cyclone assembly size is reduced for better maneuverability, then access to corners improves, but air flow and dirt collection efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cyclonic cleaning system into two separate stages: a first-stage cyclone for initial dirt separation and a second-stage cyclone for further cleaning. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized for its specific function while working together in a compact nested arrangement, maintaining high dirt collection efficiency in a reduced-size configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single large cyclone occupying horizontal space to a nested dual-cyclone system that utilizes vertical stacking. The second-stage cyclone is positioned within the vertical space of the first-stage cyclone chamber, effectively using the vertical dimension to reduce the horizontal footprint while preserving cleaning capacity
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 compact design enables better access to corners and reduces weight, improving the overall maneuverability and cleaning efficiency of the hand vacuum cleaner while maintaining effective dirt collection.
Implementation Method 1
a first stage cyclone having a first stage cyclone chamber... about which the air rotates in the first stage cyclone chamber
Implementation Method 2
a longitudinal cyclone axis about which the air rotates in the cyclone chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A hand vacuum cleaner has a cyclone assembly having a cyclone with a central longitudinally extending axis wherein, when the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner, the central longitudinally extending axis is oriented generally horizontal. The cyclone assembly has a cyclone assembly height that extends between an upper end of the cyclone assembly and a lower end of the cyclone assembly with a medial portion of the cyclone assembly positioned between the upper end and the lower end of the cyclone assembly. A housing containing the suction motor is positioned rearward of the cyclone assembly and extends downwardly from the upper end of the cyclone assembly to the medial portion. A pistol grip handle is positioned rearward of the cyclone assembly, below the housing and extends downwardly from the medial portion.