Separator assembly for a suction cleaning apparatus

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Cyclonic separator assemblies in suction cleaning apparatuses often fail to effectively remove fine particulate dirt from air streams, as they are designed to direct air flow upwards, which can lead to incomplete separation and reduced cleaning efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The cyclonic separator assembly is redesigned to direct air flow downwards through a shroud with apertures, ensuring large dirt particles are prevented from passing through, and the air flow outlet is positioned towards the lower end, allowing the suction inlet of the cleaner body to be correspondingly located for improved dirt collection and air filtration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If air flow is directed upwards through the shroud, then the separator assembly can be used with conventional cleaner bodies, but fine particulate dirt is not effectively removed from the air stream

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with conventional cleaner bodiesVSAvoidseparation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional air flow direction by directing air downwards through the shroud instead of upwards. This reversal allows the air flow outlet to be positioned at the lower end of the separation chamber, enabling effective removal of fine particulate dirt while maintaining compatibility with cleaner bodies that have suction inlets at various positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the air flow outlet is positioned at the upper end of the separation chamber, then air can be drawn upwards through the shroud, but the suction inlet of the cleaner body must be positioned at the upper part of the cylinder unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow directionVSAvoidpositioning requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the air flow outlet at the lower end of the separation chamber and directs air downwards through the shroud. This inverted configuration allows the separator assembly to connect to cleaner bodies with suction inlets at lower positions, providing greater flexibility in positioning and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Quantity of substance

If the separator assembly is designed with upward air flow, then large dirt particles can be thrown off to the outside of the cyclone chamber, but fine particulate dirt remains in the air stream

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelarge particle removalVSAvoidfine particle separation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the air flow direction to move air downwards through the shroud. This reversal enhances the separation mechanism by ensuring that both large and fine particulate dirt are effectively removed from the air stream, with fine particles being caught by the downward flow through the shroud apertures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 enhances the separation efficiency by ensuring that dirt-laden air is effectively drawn downwards, allowing for better filtration and collection of dirt, improving the overall cleaning performance by ensuring that the suction inlet is aligned with the separator outlet for efficient air flow and dirt removal.

Implementation Method 1

a separation chamber adapted to receive dirty air from the inlet and swirl the air around the chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCyclonic separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

Large dirt particles may be 'thrown off' to the outside of the cyclone chamber, where they fall downwards to the bottom of the chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

The shroud acts as a filter to prevent large particles of dirt and dust passing through, allowing air to flow through (containing only small dirt particles, at most)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 4

Large dirt particles may be 'thrown off' to the outside of the cyclone chamber, where they fall downwards to the bottom of the chamber which forms a dirt cup, and settle in that lower portion of the chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10433691B2Separator assembly for a suction cleaning apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.10.08 TECHTRONIC FLOOR CARE TECH LTD

AI summary

A cyclonic separator assembly having a first end, a second end, and an inlet for receiving a flow of dirty air. A separation chamber receives dirty air from the inlet and includes an air flow outlet formed within the separation chamber configured such that air is drawn through the outlet in a direction generally towards the first end of the separator assembly. The chamber further includes a dirt outlet defining an opening in a wall of the separation chamber. The assembly further includes a passage defining an air flow path from the air flow outlet towards a separator outlet in a direction generally towards the second end of the separator assembly such that, in use, the separator outlet is adapted to communicate with the suction inlet of the cleaner body so as to draw dirty air into the separator assembly.