Handheld Vacuum Cyclonic Separator Design to Prevent Debris Clogging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional cyclonic handheld vacuum cleaners face issues with debris clogging due to the 'knife-edge' transition between cyclone sidewalls and dust bins, leading to reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a flow-diverting wall and ramp within the cyclonic separator to guide debris away from the cyclone dirt outlet, preventing clogging, and a shroud with a conical frame and mesh to inhibit debris re-entrainment, along with a tangential airflow passage to reduce pressure drop and enhance cleaning efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a traditional cyclonic separator design is used, then the structure is simple, but debris clogging occurs at the knife-edge transition between cyclone sidewalls and dust bins

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparator structureVSAvoiddebris flow

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cyclonic separator is divided into distinct functional zones: an upper separation chamber with cyclone walls for debris separation, and a lower dust bin collection chamber. This segmentation allows debris to be separated and collected without clogging the transition zone, as the sharp knife-edge transition is replaced by a gradual interface between the separated zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A transition zone or interface structure acts as an intermediary between the cyclone separation chamber and the dust bin collection chamber. This intermediary structure prevents direct sharp-edge contact between debris flow and the bin wall, eliminating the clogging issue while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the cyclone dirty fluid outlet is positioned at the bottom, then debris collection is efficient, but debris may be re-entrained into the airflow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris collectionVSAvoiddebris re-entrainment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cyclone dirty fluid outlet is repositioned from a bottom discharge to a sidewall or end-wall discharge location. This dimensional change in outlet positioning allows debris to be expelled laterally or axially away from the airflow path, preventing re-entrainment while maintaining efficient debris collection in the dust bin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discharging debris directly downward into the dust bin from the bottom, the outlet is inverted to discharge debris through the sidewall or end wall of the cyclone chamber. This reverse discharge approach prevents debris from being swept back into the airflow by upward or radial air currents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If a straight airflow passage is used, then the structure is simple, but pressure drop is high reducing cleaning efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow passageVSAvoidpressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow passage is designed with curved or spiral geometry instead of straight lines. This curvature allows the airflow to follow a more gradual path through the vacuum cleaner, reducing sudden direction changes and minimizing pressure losses. The spiral or curved passage maintains airflow velocity while directing air efficiently from the cyclone outlet to the motor inlet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 solution effectively prevents debris clogging, maintains airflow efficiency, and reduces the risk of debris re-entrainment, enhancing the overall performance and usability of the handheld vacuum cleaner.

Implementation Method 1

a cyclonic separator in the fluid flow path. The cyclonic separator includes a cyclone chamber having a first end wall and a second end wall, a cyclone dirty fluid inlet, and a cyclone clean fluid outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCyclonic separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

cyclonic separator to guide debris away from the cyclone dirt outlet, preventing clogging

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

a tangential airflow passage to reduce pressure drop and enhance cleaning efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVortex flow: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentUS10786126B2Handheld vacuum cleaner

Publication Date: 2020.09.29 TECHTRONIC IND CO LTD

AI summary

A handheld vacuum cleaner includes a fluid flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet, a main body including a handle, and a fluid flow motor positioned in the fluid flow path. The vacuum cleaner further includes a dirt collection region with an openable bottom and a cyclonic separator in the fluid flow-path. The cyclonic separator includes a cyclone chamber having a first end wall and a second end wall, a cyclone dirty fluid inlet, and a cyclone clean fluid outlet. The vacuum cleaner further includes a filter chamber in the fluid flow path downstream from the cyclonic separator and upstream from the fluid flow motor. The filter chamber includes an outlet fluidiy communicating the filter chamber and the fluid flow motor and a tangential inlet fluidiy communicating the cyclonic separator and the filter chamber.