Hand-held cyclone vacuum cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hand-held cyclone vacuum cleaners require a large installation space for multiple filter stages and lack user accessibility for cleaning, which is inefficient in terms of design and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A compact hand-held cyclone vacuum cleaner design with multiple filter stages where the drive unit is positioned between the second and third filter stages, allowing the suction flow to flow around it, reducing space requirements and making all filter stages easily accessible for cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple filter stages are implemented in a conventional arrangement, then effective dust and dirt separation is achieved, but the installation space becomes too large for handheld application

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The drive unit is nested within the flow path of the suction air stream, positioned between the second and third filter stages. The suction flow surrounds the drive unit housing, creating a compact arrangement where the drive unit occupies space within the existing flow path rather than requiring additional external space. This nesting approach enables multiple filter stages to be arranged in a compact configuration suitable for handheld vacuum cleaners while maintaining effective dust and dirt separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If filter stages are arranged in a compact configuration, then installation space is reduced, but user accessibility for cleaning becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidfilter accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum cleaner is divided into separable modules: the container housing containing the drive unit and filter stages can be detached from the handle assembly. This segmentation allows users to easily access and clean the filter stages by removing the container housing, while the overall device remains compact for handheld operation. The modular design resolves the contradiction by providing easy maintenance access without compromising the compact installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If the drive unit is positioned to be surrounded by suction flow, then space is saved and flow efficiency is improved, but the arrangement becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoiddrive unit arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive unit housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses the drive unit, defines the flow path for the suction air stream, and acts as a structural component of the container assembly. The housing is designed with inlet and outlet openings that integrate the drive unit into the overall flow path, allowing the suction flow to surround the drive unit while maintaining a simple, unified structure rather than requiring complex additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively separates dust and dirt with a selective first filter stage while ensuring all filter stages can be easily cleaned, enhancing the vacuum cleaner's performance and usability.

Implementation Method 1

the suction flow forms a vortex flow around the longitudinal axis of the first filter stage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex flow: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

the suction flow in the separation unit creates a vortex flow, which functions to separate dust and dirt particles from the suction flow under the influence of gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentEP4169427B1Hand-held cyclone vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP4169427B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4169427B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4169427B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a hand-held cyclone vacuum cleaner comprising a separation unit for collecting vacuumed material, which includes a drive unit (5) for generating a suction flow, a first filter stage (6), a second filter stage (7) and a third filter stage (8); wherein the drive unit (5) is arranged downstream of the second filter stage (7) and upstream of the third filter stage (8) in a drive unit housing (15), wherein the drive unit (5) is surrounded by the suction flow generated during operation of the drive unit (5).