Multi-Cyclone Dust Collector Layout for Compact Vacuum Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum cleaners with multi-cyclone structures face challenges in reducing height without compromising cleaning performance, efficient dust and fine dust separation, and convenient dust discharge, often resulting in reduced suction power and complex discharge processes.

Innovation Solution

A dust collector design featuring a first cyclone with multiple second cyclones inside, a spiral guide vane for rotational flow induction, and a dual storage system for simultaneous dust and fine dust discharge, along with a pressurizing unit to prevent scattering and facilitate easy discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple second cyclones are disposed within the first cyclone, then fine dust separation capability is improved, but the height of the dust collector increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefine dust separation capabilityVSAvoidheight of dust collector
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nesting by disposing multiple second cyclones within the interior space of the first cyclone. The second cyclones are arranged in a nested configuration where they occupy the internal volume of the first cyclone, allowing fine dust separation to occur within the already-established airflow path of the first cyclone, thereby avoiding vertical stacking that would increase height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from vertical stacking (one-dimensional height increase) to horizontal/radial arrangement (two-dimensional space utilization) of the cyclones. By disposing second cyclones within the first cyclone's interior cross-section rather than stacking them vertically, the design utilizes radial and horizontal dimensions to accommodate multiple cyclones without increasing the overall height of the dust collector.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of stationary object

If the dust collector is designed with a slim profile to reduce height, then the height is reduced, but the volume for collecting dust is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight of dust collectorVSAvoiddust collection volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent compensates for reduced vertical space by expanding the dust collection capacity in horizontal and radial dimensions. The first cyclone is designed with an optimized cross-sectional area and the second cyclones are arranged to maximize utilization of the available interior volume, thereby maintaining adequate dust collection capacity despite the reduced overall height of the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the dust collection function into two distinct zones: the first cyclone handles coarse dust collection while the second cyclones handle fine dust separation. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently, with the first cyclone providing the primary dust collection volume and the second cyclones providing enhanced fine dust separation capability within the same compact height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If guide passages of the second cyclone are disposed to avoid interference, then the second cyclone can be accommodated, but the number of second cyclones is decreased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of second cycloneVSAvoidnumber of second cyclones
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary design optimization of the guide passages and inlet structures of the second cyclones before final assembly. The guide passages are pre-configured with optimized angles and dimensions that allow multiple cyclones to be closely packed without airflow interference, enabling the accommodation of the maximum number of second cyclones within the first cyclone's interior space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different local configurations to different regions of the second cyclones based on their positions within the first cyclone. Cyclones positioned in different radial or angular locations may have slightly varied guide passage geometries or inlet orientations to optimize airflow patterns and minimize interference between adjacent cyclones, thereby maximizing the number that can be accommodated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Device complexity

If dust is discharged without pressurization, then the discharge process is simple, but dust scatters during discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge process complexityVSAvoiddust scattering
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs pneumatic pressurization through a blowout fan that generates a controlled airflow to pressurize and direct dust during discharge. The fan creates a focused air stream that pushes dust through the discharge passage in a controlled manner, preventing scattering while maintaining relatively simple discharge mechanism without requiring complex mechanical compression systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 design reduces the height of the dust collector while maintaining cleaning performance, allows for efficient separation and simultaneous discharge of dust and fine dust, and prevents scattering through pressurization, enhancing user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a first cyclone (110) installed within an outer case (101) to filter out dust from air inhaled from an outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

filter out dust from air inhaled from an outside thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

a plurality of second cyclones (120) accommodated in the inside of the first cyclone (110) to separate fine dust from air introduced to the inside of the first cyclone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 4

separate fine dust from air introduced to the inside of the first cyclone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 5

a guide vane extended in a spiral shape along an inner circumference thereof is provided at the inlet to induce rotational flow in air introduced to an inside of the second cyclone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational flow induction: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentEP3895591B1Dust collector for vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3895591B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3895591B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3895591B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a dust collector for a vacuum cleaner, comprising: an outer case; a first cyclone installed within the outer case to filter out dust from air inhaled from an outside thereof and introduce the air from which dust has been filtered out into an inside thereof; a plurality of second cyclones accommodated in the inside of the first cyclone to separate fine dust from the air introduced to the inside of the first cyclone; and a cover member disposed to cover an inlet of the second cyclone, wherein cyclones disposed adjacent to each other among the first and the second cyclones limit a first space within the first cyclone, and the cover member forms a second space communicating with the first space between the inlet and the cover member, and a guide vane extended in a spiral shape along an inner circumference thereof and provided at the inlet to induce rotational flow in air introduced to an inside of the second cyclones through the first and the second space, wherein an outlet of each second cyclone is installed to pass through a bottom surface of the first cyclone, an inner case for accommodating the outlet is installed at a lower portion of the first cyclone to form a fine dust storage portion for collecting fine dust discharged through the outlet, and dust filtered out through the first cyclone is collected into a dust storage portion between an inner circumference of the outer case and an outer circumference of the inner case, a lower cover is hinge-coupled to the outer case to form a bottom surface of the dust storage portion and the fine dust storage portion, and rotated by the hinge to open the dust storage portion and the fine dust storage portion at the same time so as to discharge the dust and the fine dust at the same time.