Wet Vacuum Cyclone Layout for Compact Liquid Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cyclonic separation systems in canister vacuum cleaners are unsuitable for efficiently separating significant amounts of liquids while maintaining a compact size, leading to the need for large devices to handle liquids without backflow.
Innovation Solution
A cyclonic separation system with a toroidal partition wall and multiple cyclonic units, where the radial distance between the outer and inner walls of the first cyclonic unit is between 20 mm and 40 mm, allowing efficient separation of both solids and liquids and preventing backflow into the cyclonic units, with a collection chamber designed to hold at least 200 cm³ of liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional cyclonic separation systems are used, then the device can separate solids from air flow, but it cannot efficiently separate significant amounts of liquids without requiring large device size
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclonic separation system is divided into multiple cyclonic units (at least two units) with different radial distances, allowing simultaneous separation of solids and liquids with different densities and sizes. This segmentation enables efficient liquid separation without requiring a single oversized separation chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the separation system have different structural characteristics - the first cyclonic unit has a radial distance of 20-40mm optimized for liquid separation, while the second cyclonic unit has different dimensions optimized for solid particle separation. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function efficiently within a compact overall volume.
2Volume of stationary object
If the radial distance between outer and inner walls of the cyclonic unit is reduced to compact the device, then the device size decreases, but the separation efficiency of liquids deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple cyclonic units with different radial distances rather than a single unit. The first cyclonic unit has a larger radial distance (20-40mm) specifically optimized for liquid separation, while the second unit has different dimensions for solid particle separation, allowing compact overall design without sacrificing liquid separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial distance parameter is specifically optimized to 20-40mm in the first cyclonic unit, which is the critical range for achieving efficient liquid separation. This parameter optimization ensures that liquids are effectively separated while maintaining a compact device size, avoiding both excessive size and insufficient separation performance.
3Quantity of substance
If a collection chamber is added to collect separated liquids, then liquid collection capacity increases, but the risk of backflow into the cyclonic unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
A toroidal partition wall is introduced as an intermediary structure between the first cyclonic unit and the collection chamber. This partition wall prevents direct communication and backflow while allowing the collection chamber to accumulate liquids. The partition wall acts as a barrier that maintains pressure differential and prevents liquid from flowing back into the cyclonic unit.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the device is designed for wet vacuum cleaning functionality, then it can handle liquids, but the overall device dimensions increase beyond compact limits
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclonic separation system for wet vacuum cleaning is integrated within the main body of the vacuum cleaner, with the outer wall of the first cyclonic unit formed by a portion of the side wall of the dust collection bucket. This merging of functions and structures allows wet vacuum capability without significantly increasing overall device dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cyclonic separation units are nested within the dust collection bucket structure, with the first cyclonic unit utilizing the bucket's side wall as its outer boundary. This nesting arrangement maximizes space utilization and enables wet vacuum functionality within compact dimensions.
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
Enables the separation of significant amounts of liquids within a compact size, preventing backflow and maintaining efficient cyclonic air movement, suitable for domestic use and integration with steam functionality in vacuum cleaners.
Implementation Method 1
a cyclonic separation system for separating solids and/or liquids from a suctioned air flow
Implementation Method 2
Suctioned air enters through said tangential inlet so that a cyclonic air flow is generated in said portion of the dust collection bucket
Implementation Method 3
the liquids and/or heavier solids, separated from the suctioned air flow in the first cyclonic unit, fall into the collection chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a canister wet vacuum cleaner comprising a cyclonic separation system for separating solids and/or liquids from a suctioned air flow, which has a total volume of from 2000 to about 7000 cm3 and comprises two or more cyclonic units and a collection chamber. The radial distance between the outer wall and the inner wall of the first cyclonic unit is of from 20 mm to 40 mm. A toroidal partition wall partially separates said collection chamber from the first cyclonic unit, extending radially from an inner wall toward a side wall, without contacting it, and identifying an annular space between the perimeter of the toroidal partition wall and said side wall, through which liquids and/or solids separated in the first cyclonic unit fall into the collection chamber.