Inclined Multi-Cyclone Layout for Compact Fine Dust Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cyclonic vacuum cleaners face challenges in compact design and efficient separation of fine dust particles while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, as conventional designs often result in complex and voluminous cyclone arrangements.
Innovation Solution
The cyclonic separating apparatus features a downstream cyclone assembly with cyclones inclined at different angles, allowing for a compact and efficient configuration, and utilizes one-piece caps with helical channels and baffles to simplify manufacturing and assembly, enabling effective separation of fine dust particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple cyclones are arranged in parallel to improve separation efficiency, then the separation efficiency increases, but the volume of the cyclone assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing cyclones of the second set inside the collecting chamber formed by cyclones of the first set. This nested arrangement allows multiple cyclones to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, achieving high separation efficiency through parallel cyclone operation while maintaining a compact overall assembly volume that would be impossible with conventional parallel arrangements.
2Volume of stationary object
If cyclones are arranged with different inclination angles to reduce assembly volume, then the volume decreases, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cyclone assembly into distinct sets (first set and second set) with different inclination angles. Each set forms a manageable collecting chamber, and the segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing of each set while achieving compact overall volume through the angular arrangement. This modular segmentation reduces the complexity burden by breaking down the complex multi-angle assembly into manageable standardized units.
3Ease of manufacture
If the inlet is located outside the cyclone to simplify manufacturing, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the assembly volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the inlet structure with the cyclone body by forming the inlet as an integral part of the cyclone component. This merging eliminates the need for separate external inlet connections and reduces the number of assembly steps, while simultaneously reducing the overall assembly volume by eliminating the space required for external inlet structures and their associated connections.
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 achieves a more compact and efficient separation of fine dust particles, reducing the overall volume of the apparatus and simplifying the manufacturing process, while maintaining high separation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an airflow in which dirt and dust is entrained enters a first cyclonic separator via a tangential inlet which causes the airflow to follow a spiral or helical path within a collecting chamber. Centrifugal forces act on the entrained dirt to separate the dirt from the flow.
Implementation Method 2
The downstream cyclone assembly of the invention occupies a smaller volume than it would if the downstream cyclones were formed with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel. This allows the apparatus to be utilised in an appliance such as a domestic vacuum cleaner.
Data Source
AI summary
Cyclonic separating apparatus for a cleaning appliance such as a vacuum cleaner has a longitudinal axis, an upstream cyclonic separator and a downstream cyclone assembly. The downstream cyclone assembly comprises a plurality of cyclones arranged in parallel with one another. The downstream cyclones are arranged in a first set in which each cyclone has a longitudinal axis inclined at a first angle (α) to the longitudinal axis of the cyclonic separating apparatus and a second set, in which each cyclone has a longitudinal axis inclined at a second angle (β) to the longitudinal axis of the cyclonic separating apparatus. The second angle (β) is greater than the first angle (α). The invention allows the downstream cyclone assembly to be compactly packaged.