Nested Cyclone Dust Collector With Integrated Guide Vane

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dust collectors with multi-cyclone structures face challenges in reducing height without compromising cleaning performance, efficient air flow between cyclones, and manufacturing complexity, leading to reduced suction power and increased manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A dust collector design where a second cyclone is accommodated within a first cyclone, with a guide vane spirally extended along the inner circumference of the second cyclone to induce rotational flow, eliminating the need for additional guide passages and integrating the guide vane with the cyclone casing and vortex finder.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If a second cyclone is arranged within a first cyclone to reduce height, then the height of the dust collector is reduced, but the number of second cyclones must be decreased which deteriorates cleaning performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight of dust collectorVSAvoidcleaning performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The second cyclone is nested within the first cyclone, with the first cyclone serving as the outer housing and the second cyclone positioned inside it. This nesting arrangement reduces the overall height of the dust collector while maintaining the necessary separation between cyclones for effective operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If air passes through the first cyclone before entering the second cyclone, then dust is filtered out, but the flow speed of air decreases making it unable to be efficiently introduced into the second cyclone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust filtrationVSAvoidair flow speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

A guide passage is provided at the inlet of the second cyclone to pre-rotate the air flow before it enters the cyclone separation chamber. This preliminary rotation action ensures that air maintains sufficient kinetic energy and proper flow direction after passing through the first cyclone, enabling efficient introduction into the second cyclone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If a tangential inhalation type cyclone structure with a guide passage is used, then air is introduced tangentially, but the passage usability is low and the size of the cyclone decreases increasing entire passage loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair introduction efficiencyVSAvoidpassage loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The guide passage is designed to introduce air from a radial direction into the tangential flow path of the cyclone. This dimensional transition allows air to be efficiently incorporated into the rotational flow without compromising cyclone size or increasing passage loss.

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

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 reduces the overall height of the dust collector, enhances the separation of fine dust, prevents degradation of cleaning performance, and simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for additional guide passages and reducing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a guide vane spirally extended along an inner circumference of the second cyclone to induce rotational flow to the air introduced to an inside of the second cyclone through an inlet of the second cyclone via the first space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational flow: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

a first cyclone disposed within an outer case to filter out dust from air introduced from an outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 3

a second cyclone accommodated in the inside of the first cyclone to form a first space between the first cyclone and the second cyclone to separate fine dust from the air introduced to the inside of the first cyclone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentEP3247250B1Dust collector for vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3247250B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3247250B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3247250B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A dust collector for a vacuum cleaner, including a first cyclone disposed within an outer case to filter out dust from air introduced from an outside thereof and introduce the air from which dust has been filtered out to an inside thereof, a second cyclone accommodated in the inside of the first cyclone to form a first space between the first cyclone and the second cyclone to separate fine dust from the air introduced to the inside of the first cyclone, and a guide vane spirally extended along an inner circumference of the second cyclone to induce rotational flow to the air introduced to an inside of the second cyclone through an inlet of the second cyclone via the first space, wherein the guide vane is integrally provided on the second cyclone.