Nested Cyclone Design for Compact Hand Vacuum Maneuverability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hand vacuum cleaners with cyclonic cleaning stages are bulky and difficult to maneuver, limiting their ability to clean tight spaces and corners effectively.
Innovation Solution
A multistage cyclone design featuring a first stage cyclone with a second stage cyclone nested within it, along with a screen surrounding the second stage cyclone to enhance air flow and separation efficiency, allowing for a compact and more maneuverable hand vacuum cleaner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional cyclonic cleaning stage is used in a hand vacuum cleaner, then dirt collection capability is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and difficult to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested cyclone configuration where a second-stage cyclone is positioned inside the first-stage cyclone chamber. This nested arrangement allows two cyclonic cleaning stages to occupy the space of approximately one stage, significantly reducing the overall size and volume of the vacuum cleaner while maintaining effective dirt collection capability through multi-stage separation
2Ease of operation
If the cyclone assembly size is reduced for better maneuverability, then ease of operation improves, but air flow efficiency and dirt collection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes vertical stacking and nested positioning of cyclone stages along the axial dimension, allowing multiple cleaning stages to be arranged in a compact vertical configuration rather than requiring horizontal expansion. This dimensional arrangement maintains adequate air flow paths and separation efficiency while reducing the overall footprint and improving maneuverability
3Reliability
If a multistage cyclone design is implemented, then dirt collection efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cyclone stages and their associated dirt collection chambers into an integrated assembly where the second-stage cyclone is nested within the first-stage chamber. This merging of components creates a unified structure that achieves multi-stage dirt collection efficiency while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through shared housing and coordinated design
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 enables better access to corners and tight spaces while maintaining effective dirt collection and air flow, improving the overall usability and efficiency of the hand vacuum cleaner.
Implementation Method 1
a first stage cyclone having a first stage cyclone chamber, a first stage cyclone air inlet, a first stage cyclone air outlet and a first stage longitudinal cyclone axis about which the air rotates in the first stage cyclone chamber
Implementation Method 2
about which the air rotates in the first stage cyclone chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus includes an air flow path, a cyclone, and an air flow passage. The air flow path extends from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. A suction motor is positioned in the air flow path. The cyclone is positioned in the air flow path, and has a cyclone chamber, a cyclone chamber sidewall, a plurality of tangential air inlets, a cyclone air outlet, and a longitudinal cyclone axis. Air rotates in a direction of rotation in the cyclone chamber. Each tangential air inlets includes an inlet port provided in the cyclone chamber sidewall, each inlet port having an upstream edge and a downstream edge in the direction of rotation. The air flow passage extends parallel to the cyclone axis and upstream from the tangential air inlets. The air flow passage has a terminal end at which the plurality of tangential air inlets are located.