Parallel Cyclone Layout for Compact Hand Vacuum Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cyclone cleaning stages in surface cleaning apparatuses often require additional filters and have inefficiencies in particulate matter removal, leading to a need for a more effective design that can compactly handle dirt collection and airflow.
Innovation Solution
A cyclonic cleaning stage with multiple cyclones arranged in parallel, featuring sideways dirt outlets and a radially positioned dirt collection plenum, which allows for efficient dirt collection and airflow management, reducing the need for pre-motor filters and enhancing compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional cyclone cleaning stage is used, then it can remove particulate matter from airflow, but it requires additional filters and has inefficiencies in particulate matter removal
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclone cleaning stage is divided into multiple individual cyclone chambers (typically three) arranged in parallel, each chamber independently removing particulate matter. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high removal efficiency without requiring additional filters, as each cyclone chamber acts as an independent separation unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cyclone chambers are merged into a single integrated cleaning stage that processes airflow simultaneously through parallel chambers. The dirty air inlet feeds all chambers, and cleaned air from all chambers converges to the clean air outlet, combining their particulate removal capabilities into one unified system.
2Reliability
If a second cyclonic cleaning stage is provided downstream of the first air treatment member, then it can remove remaining particulate matter, but it increases the overall length of the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclone chambers are arranged in a parallel configuration across the cross-sectional area of the airflow path rather than in series along the length. This dimensional reorganization allows multiple stages of cleaning to occur simultaneously in parallel, achieving complete particulate removal without increasing the axial length of the apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple cyclone chambers are nested within a common housing structure that integrates the dirty air inlet, clean air outlet, and individual chamber outlets into a compact arrangement. This nesting allows the cleaning stage to maintain a compact overall length while accommodating multiple parallel chambers.
3Productivity
If multiple cyclones are arranged in parallel, then dirt collection efficiency improves, but the structural complexity of the dirt collection system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dirt collection plenums from multiple parallel cyclone chambers are merged into a single common dirt collection plenum. This consolidation allows all chambers to discharge dirt into one unified collection space, improving dirt collection efficiency while reducing structural complexity compared to having separate collection systems for each chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
A common dirt collection plenum acts as an intermediary structure that receives dirt from multiple cyclone chambers and channels it to a single dirt outlet. This intermediary simplifies the overall structure by providing a centralized collection point rather than requiring individual outlets and pathways for each chamber.
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 effectively removes particulate matter from airflow, facilitating a more compact and efficient cyclonic cleaning stage that improves dirt collection efficiency and reduces re-entrainment of dirt, thereby enhancing overall cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
Surface cleaning apparatus that use one or more cyclonic cleaning stages to remove particulate matter (e.g. dust and dirt) from an airstream are known
Implementation Method 2
Each second stage cyclone chamber has a dirt outlet configured such that at least a portion of, and preferably most or substantially all of the dirt exiting a second stage cyclone travels in a radial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A hand vacuum cleaner has an air treatment stage positioned below an inlet conduit. A pistol grip handle is provided at the rear end of the hand vacuum cleaner. An arm member extends from the inlet conduit linearly rearwardly to the upper end of the pistol grip handle. A housing is provided at a lower end of the pistol grip handle. All operating components of the hand vacuum cleaner are located between a lower end of the housing and the inlet conduit.