Hand Vacuum Cyclone Bin Layout for Better Dirt Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface cleaning apparatuses with coaxial cyclones and dirt bins have limitations in dirt and water collection capacity and retention, leading to frequent emptying and re-entrainment of dirt due to central inlet design.
Innovation Solution
A surface cleaning apparatus with a dirt bin having an off-centre inlet, allowing for a larger cross-sectional area and reduced fluid flow effects, enhancing dirt retention and collection capacity, and incorporating a cyclonic cleaning stage with a dirt chamber positioned below the cyclone, featuring angled sidewalls to minimize re-entrainment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the dirt bin inlet is positioned centrally (coaxial with cyclone), then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but the collection capacity is limited and dirt retention is poor due to fluid flow effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the dirt bin inlet off-center relative to the cyclone axis. The inlet is located at a radial distance of 0.1 to 0.4 times the cyclone inlet diameter from the cyclone center, creating an asymmetric configuration that improves dirt retention by reducing fluid flow effects while maintaining structural simplicity
2Quantity of substance
If the dirt bin cross-sectional area is increased to improve collection capacity, then more dirt and water can be collected, but the bin requires more space and may increase device size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by positioning the dirt bin beneath the cyclone chamber, with the cyclone inlet extending into the dirt bin. This nested configuration allows the dirt bin to have a larger cross-sectional area for increased collection capacity while utilizing the vertical space efficiently, minimizing the horizontal footprint of the overall device
3Reliability
If the inlet is positioned off-center, then dirt retention is enhanced by isolating the distal portion from fluid flow effects, but the inlet alignment with cyclone outlet becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a distinct region in the dirt bin where the inlet is positioned at a specific radial distance (0.1 to 0.4 times cyclone inlet diameter) from the cyclone center. This localized positioning creates an optimal zone that isolates the distal portion of the dirt bin from fluid flow effects, enhancing dirt retention while providing clear manufacturing guidelines for inlet alignment
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
The off-centre dirt bin inlet design increases the collection capacity and reduces the frequency of emptying, while the angled sidewalls prevent dirt re-entrainment, resulting in improved dirt retention and efficiency in surface cleaning apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
a cyclonic cleaning stage provided in the fluid flow path and comprising at least one cyclone chamber
Implementation Method 2
Each cleaning stage may include a single cyclone, or a plurality of cyclones positioned in parallel
Implementation Method 3
by positioning the inlet off centre, the part of the dirt chamber distal to the inlet is more isolated from any fluid flow effects at the dirt inlet, thereby enhancing dirt retention in the dirt chamber
Implementation Method 4
incorporating a cyclonic cleaning stage with a dirt chamber positioned below the cyclone, featuring angled sidewalls to minimize re-entrainment
Data Source
AI summary
A hand vacuum cleaner is provided with a wand mounted to the dirty fluid inlet of the hand vacuum cleaner and the wand has a distal inlet that is mounted on a surface cleaning head. The hand vacuum cleaner has two cyclonic cleaning stages and a handle. In one embodiment, the handle has an upper end that is located that is located exterior to the second cyclonic stage and at a height intermediate the first and second spaced apart ends of the second cyclonic cleaning stage and a handle portion that extends upwardly when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned on a horizontal surface. In another embodiment, the fluid flow motor and the handle are positioned rearward of the central axes of the first and second cyclonic cleaning stages.