Hand Vacuum Cyclone Inlet Layout for Better Dirt Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface cleaning apparatuses with coaxial cyclones and dirt bins often have limited dirt collection capacity and require frequent emptying, as the central inlet design can lead to fluid flow effects that reduce dirt retention in the dirt bin.
Innovation Solution
A surface cleaning apparatus with a dirt bin having an off-centre inlet, allowing for a larger cross-sectional area and reduced re-entrainment of dirt, featuring a cyclonic cleaning stage with a dirt chamber positioned below the cyclone, where the inlet is spaced from the central axis to enhance dirt retention and collection capacity.
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 symmetric, but the dirt collection capacity is limited and dirt retention is reduced 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 axis, creating an asymmetric configuration that improves dirt retention by reducing fluid flow effects while maintaining structural simplicity
2Reliability
If the dirt bin inlet is positioned centrally, then the design is straightforward, but fluid flow effects reduce dirt retention in the dirt bin
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric inlet positioning at a radial distance of 0.1 to 0.4 times the cyclone inlet diameter from the cyclone axis reduces fluid flow effects that cause dirt re-entrainment, thereby improving dirt retention reliability while keeping the design straightforward
3Volume of stationary object
If the dirt chamber has a larger cross-sectional area, then more dirt and water can be collected and emptying frequency decreases, but the inlet positioning becomes more critical for maintaining effective collection
Solution Approach 1:
The off-center inlet positioning creates asymmetric flow patterns that reduce fluid flow effects even in larger dirt chambers. The specific radial positioning (0.1 to 0.4 times cyclone inlet diameter) ensures effective dirt retention regardless of chamber size, allowing increased volume without proportionally increasing positioning complexity
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 dirt collection capacity and reduces the frequency of emptying, while minimizing re-entrainment of dirt, thereby improving the overall efficiency of dirt retention and collection 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
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 a cyclonic cleaning stage and a handle wherein the handle has a handle portion that extends upwardly when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned on a horizontal surface. The handle portion is positioned rearward of the first cyclonic cleaning stage whereby a portion of the cyclone chamber is positioned between the dirty fluid inlet and the handle portion.