Recessed Dirt Collection Chamber for Cyclone Particle Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surface cleaning apparatuses, such as vacuum cleaners, face inefficiencies in separating dirt particles from the air stream, leading to potential fouling of the suction motor and pre-motor filter, and excessive noise due to vibrations in the down duct.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a dirt collection chamber with recessed areas on its sidewall to disrupt airflow, a cyclone bin assembly with a fine particle separator that accelerates air velocity to dis-entrain fine particles, and reinforcing ribs to reduce vibrations in the down duct.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a smooth sidewall is used in the dirt collection chamber, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the separation efficiency of dirt particles from the air stream is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing recesses at specific locations on the sidewall of the dirt collection chamber. These recesses create localized flow disruptions that enhance dirt particle separation, while the rest of the chamber maintains a smooth surface for ease of manufacture. The discontinuities are strategically positioned to maximize separation efficiency without requiring the entire chamber to be complex.
2Strength
If the down duct is rigid and well-supported, then the structural strength is improved, but the vibrations induced by air flow increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the structural parameters of the down duct through the addition of reinforcing ribs. These ribs change the vibrational characteristics of the duct by providing additional support points and altering the natural frequency of the structure, thereby reducing vibrations and noise while maintaining structural strength.
3Reliability
If the cyclone bin assembly processes all dirt particles, then the motor and filter are protected, but the fine particles may still foul the motor downstream
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a fine particle separator upstream in the airflow path, before the air reaches the motor. This separator performs the preliminary function of removing fine particles that would otherwise escape the main cyclone separation and potentially foul the motor downstream, providing an additional layer of protection.
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
Enhances the separation efficiency of dirt particles, reduces re-entrainment, and minimizes noise by effectively collecting dirt particles and reducing vibrations in the surface cleaning apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
The recess provides a discontinuity on the inner surface of the dirt collection chamber sidewall. The discontinuity may disrupt the flow of the dirty air flowing along the inner surface of the sidewall, which may help dis-entrain dirt particles from the dirty airflow.
Implementation Method 2
Air is drawn into the vacuum cleaners through a dirty air inlet and conveyed to a cyclone inlet. The rotation of the air in the cyclone results in some of the particulate matter in the airflow stream being disentrained from the airflow stream.
Implementation Method 3
Reinforcing ribs extend between the down duct and the floor of the cyclone chamber. The ribs may help reduce vibrations in the down duct, including, for example, vibrations induced by air flowing through the down duct.
Data Source
AI summary
A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and a suction motor. The surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a cyclone chamber in the air flow path. The cyclone chamber may be comprise a cyclone chamber first end and a cyclone chamber second opposed end, a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet and a cyclone chamber wall. The surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a dirt collection chamber having a dirt collection chamber first end, a dirt collection chamber second opposed end and an outer longitudinally extending sidewall. The outer longitudinally extending sidewall may have at least one recess provided therein.