Upright Surface Cleaner Linear Airflow Path to Reduce Backpressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners face challenges in reducing backpressure in the airflow path, which limits airflow rate without increasing the size or weight of the suction motor.
Innovation Solution
The design aligns the cyclone axis parallel to the suction motor axis, creating a linear airflow path from the cyclone outlet to the suction motor inlet, allowing for reduced backpressure and potentially using a smaller motor or maintaining airflow with a smaller motor size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the airflow path is configured with conventional cyclone and motor arrangement, then the structural design is simplified, but the backpressure in the airflow path increases, limiting the airflow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reconfigures the airflow path from a conventional multi-directional arrangement to a substantially linear path by aligning the cyclone outlet axis with the motor inlet axis. This dimensional simplification reduces flow direction changes and minimizes backpressure, thereby increasing airflow rate without adding complexity to the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the airflow path, specifically the orientation angles between cyclone outlet and motor inlet. By changing the alignment parameter to be substantially parallel (0-10 degree deviation), the airflow resistance is reduced, enabling higher airflow rate while maintaining a simple structural configuration.
2Productivity
If the suction motor size is increased to maintain or increase airflow rate, then the airflow rate is improved, but the weight of the vacuum cleaner increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the airflow resistance factor from the system by redesigning the airflow path configuration. By removing the unnecessary directional changes and misalignments in the airflow path, the system achieves higher airflow rate without needing to increase motor size, thereby avoiding the associated weight increase.
Solution Approach 2:
By optimizing the geometric parameters of the airflow path (alignment between cyclone outlet and motor inlet), the patent changes the flow resistance parameter. This allows the use of a smaller motor to achieve the same airflow rate that would require a larger motor in a conventional configuration, thus reducing the overall weight of the vacuum cleaner.
3Productivity
If the suction motor size is increased to maintain or increase airflow rate, then the airflow rate is improved, but the size of the vacuum cleaner increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the airflow resistance factor from the system by redesigning the airflow path configuration. By removing the unnecessary directional changes and misalignments in the airflow path, the system achieves higher airflow rate without needing to increase motor size, thereby avoiding the associated size increase.
Solution Approach 2:
By optimizing the geometric parameters of the airflow path (alignment between cyclone outlet and motor inlet), the patent changes the flow resistance parameter. This allows the use of a smaller motor to achieve the same airflow rate that would require a larger motor in a conventional configuration, thus reducing the overall volume of the vacuum cleaner.
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 airflow rate through the hand vacuum cleaner without increasing motor size or weight, improving efficiency and usability.
Implementation Method 1
a cyclonic separator for separating dirt and dust from an airflow
Implementation Method 2
The cyclone separator is arranged in a generally upright orientation (i.e., the air rotates about a generally vertical axis in use)
Data Source
AI summary
A reconfigurable upright surface cleaning apparatus has a surface cleaning unit removably mounted to the floor cleaning unit. The surface cleaning unit has a rear air inlet and a front air outlet.