Surface cleaning apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface cleaning apparatuses, such as hand vacuum cleaners, face inefficiencies in air flow management and dirt accumulation due to limitations in cyclone chamber design and air treatment systems, leading to suboptimal cleaning performance and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The surface cleaning apparatus incorporates a rib extending into the cyclone chamber to disrupt air flow and encourage dirt accumulation, along with a variable axial length air treatment inlet conduit and a selectively closable closure member to optimize air flow and reduce power requirements, featuring a porous air treatment outlet and a radially removable filter for enhanced efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rib is added to the cyclone chamber to disrupt air flow and encourage dirt accumulation, then dirt collection efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclone chamber is segmented by adding a rib structure that divides the chamber into distinct regions. This segmentation creates specific zones for dirt accumulation adjacent to the rib while maintaining overall cyclonic flow, thereby improving dirt collection efficiency without requiring a complete redesign of the chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib acts as an intermediary element within the cyclone chamber that mediates between the cyclonic air flow and dirt particles. It provides a surface that encourages dirt accumulation while allowing air flow to continue, serving as a bridge between the separating forces and the collection mechanism.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a variable axial length air treatment inlet conduit and closure member are incorporated, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air treatment inlet conduit is designed with variable axial length capability, allowing the system to dynamically adjust its configuration. The closure member enables the inlet to be selectively opened or closed, creating a dynamic system that can optimize air flow and reduce power consumption by adapting to different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of inlet conduit axial length and opening/closure state to optimize performance. By varying these parameters, the system can control air flow characteristics and reduce the power required for the motor to achieve a given air flow rate.
3Productivity
If a porous air treatment outlet is used, then air flow efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air treatment outlet is constructed using porous materials that allow controlled air flow through the outlet structure. The porous nature of the material provides inherent flow distribution and filtering capabilities, improving air flow efficiency while the material's structure naturally handles the precision requirements through its porous architecture.
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 design enhances dirt collection efficiency, reduces power consumption, and allows for adjustable settings to accommodate different particle sizes, resulting in improved cleaning performance and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a cyclone chamber receiving the air flow from the inlet conduit
Implementation Method 2
The outlet may also include an air impermeable portion. The air permeable portion may be a porous portion comprising a porous material that extends inwardly from the air impermeable portion.
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus has a filter assembly comprising a plurality of removable assembly portions. Each of the assembly portions comprises a portion of a pre- and/or post-motor filter media.