Patent Description:
Currently, a cyclone separator is a device used for a gas-solid separation or a liquid-solid separation. <CIT> shows such a cyclone separator and a dishwasher of the state of the art.

Firstly, if the cyclone separator is independently used to separate solid particles from a fluid, when the densities of solid particles are only slightly greater than the density of the fluid and the solid particles are in lamellar shapes, the centrifugal forces of the solid particles are weakened, and the solid particles located at the periphery are unable to deposit. The solid particles may flow out from an outlet of the cyclone separator, and it is unable to achieve a solid-liquid separation.

Secondly, a single separation efficiency of the cyclone separator is less than <NUM>%, and the wastes cannot be completely filtered by a single separation, which may result in a secondary pollution to downstream components.

The present disclosure aims to solve at least one of technical problems existing in the related art or related technologies.

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a cyclone separator is provided.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a dishwasher is provided.

According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, a cyclone separator is provided. The cyclone separator includes a first housing, a second housing, a first filter element, a flowing passage, an input pipe, an output pipe, and a reflux portion. The second housing is arranged in the first housing. A waste collection chamber is arranged between the second housing and the first housing. The first filter element is arranged in the second housing. The first filter element is enclosed to form a first filter chamber. The flowing passage is located between the first filter element and the second housing. The flowing passage is in communication with or fluidly connected to the first filter chamber through a filter hole, and the waste collection chamber is in communication with the flowing passage. The input pipe is in communication with the flowing passage, and a flowing medium enters the cyclone separator through the input pipe and forms a cyclone or a rotational flow in the flowing passage. The output pipe is in communication with the first filter chamber, and the flowing medium is discharged from the cyclone separator through the output pipe. The flowing medium flows from the waste collection chamber to the output pipe through the reflux portion.

The cyclone separator includes the first housing, the second housing, the first filter element, and the reflux portion. The second housing is arranged in the first housing. The waste collection chamber is arranged between the second housing and the first housing. The waste collection chamber is configured to collect waste particles. The first filter element is arranged in the second housing. The first filter element has the filter hole. When the flowing medium passes or flows through the first filter element, the liquid may enter the first filter chamber of the first filter element through the filter hole, and the waste particles may be blocked out of the first filter element. The flowing passage is arranged between the first filter element and the second housing. The flowing passage is in in communication with the first filter chamber through the filter hole.

The cyclone separator further includes an input pipe. The input pipe may be arranged on the first housing. In some embodiments, the input pipe is arranged on the second housing. In some embodiments, the input pipe is arranged on both the first housing and the second housing. The input pipe is in communication with the flowing passage. In some embodiments, at least part of the output pipe extends into the first filter chamber, in this way, the output pipe is in communication with the filter chamber, and the structure is simplified. A pump assembly is arranged at the input pipe of the cyclone separator or at the output pipe of the cyclone separator. The pump assembly may pressurize the flowing medium to disturb the flowing medium in the flowing passage. In some embodiments, when the pump assembly is arranged at the input pipe, the pressurized flowing medium may enter the flowing passage through the input pipe and along the tangential direction of the inner wall of the second housing, and then form a cyclone in the flowing passage. That is, the pressurized flowing medium flows along the peripheral direction of the inner wall of the second housing to form the cyclone. It should be noted that, the flowing passage is a circular passage, and the flowing medium forms a cyclone in the circular passage, and then enters the first filter chamber through the filter hole on the first filter element.

The cyclone separator also includes the reflux portion, and the reflux portion is configured to guide the flowing medium to flow from the waste collection chamber to the output pipe. The reflux portion is in a low-pressure region, the flowing passage is in a high-pressure region, and the flowing medium has a trend of flowing from the high-pressure region to the low-pressure region. Under this flowing trend, although the centrifugal force of solid particles located in the flowing passage with a density slightly greater than that of the density of fluid is weakened, the solid particles may still flow downwards towards the waste collection chamber, thereby achieving a solid-liquid separation. Besides, the filter effect of the first filter element may be ensured, and the phenomenon that the first filter element is blocked by the waste particles may be avoided. In addition, the wastes in the flowing passage may be brought into the waste collection chamber, thereby avoiding the waste particles from entering the filter chamber and avoiding secondary pollution to downstream components.

In some embodiments, during the operation of the cyclone separator, due to flowing characteristics of the cyclone, the region close to the rotating axis of the fluid in the first filter chamber is the low-pressure region. The reflux portion may be arranged in the low-pressure region, in this way, the reflux portion is in the region with low pressure to guide the flowing medium in the flowing passage to flow into the waste collection chamber. In some embodiments, the reflux portion may be arranged in the waste collection chamber. The reflux portion may be connected to a negative pressure device, and the negative pressure device may enable the position on which the reflux portion is located to be the low-pressure region, thereby driving the flowing medium in the flowing passage to flow towards the waste collection chamber. The arranging positions of the reflux portion are various, as long as the reflux portion may guide the flowing medium to flow along from the flowing passage to the waste collection chamber. The reflux portion may also be arranged on other positions, which are not listed herein.

It should also be noted that, the fluid entering the first filter chamber may pass through the first filter chamber and directly flow out of the first filter chamber through the output pipe. The first end of the output pipe extends into the first filter chamber, and the second end of the output pipe is in communication with an external drainage pipe.

In some embodiments, the reflux portion includes a reflux opening arranged on the output pipe, and the reflux opening is arranged out of the first filter chamber.

In some embodiments, the output pipe includes an outer pipe and an inner pipe in communication with each other, at least part of the inner pipe is arranged out of the first filter chamber and located in the first housing, the reflux opening is arranged on the inner pipe and located out of the first filter chamber, and the outer pipe is located out of the first housing.

In some embodiments, the inner pipe and the first filter chamber are arranged coaxially.

In some embodiments, the cyclone separator further includes: a second filter element, arranged between the waste collection chamber and the reflux portion. The flowing medium is capable of flowing from the reflux portion to the output pipe after passing through the second filter element.

In some embodiments, the cyclone separator further includes: a waste-discharge outlet, in communication with the waste collection chamber.

In some embodiments, a buffer portion is formed by a part of the second housing protruding away from the first filter element.

In some embodiments, the cyclone separator further includes: a guiding portion, located in the first filter chamber.

In some embodiments, the guiding portion includes a cone, the top of the cone is close to the output pipe, and the bottom of the cone is away from the output pipe.

In some embodiments, the cyclone separator further includes: a bottom housing, connected to the first housing. The second housing is located between the bottom housing and the first housing. A channel is formed between the bottom housing and the second housing, the flowing passage is in communication with the waste collection chamber through the channel, and the reflux portion is arranged away from the bottom housing.

In some embodiments, the cyclone separator further includes: a guiding element, arranged on the bottom housing and located in the channel.

In some embodiments, the guiding element includes: a plurality of guiding vanes, spaced apart from each other on the bottom housing. A tangential direction of an inlet of each of the plurality of guiding vanes is opposite to a rotating direction of the flowing medium in the second housing.

In some embodiments, the cyclone separator further includes: a driving element; and a first cleaning element, attached to an outer wall of the first filter element. The driving element is configured to drive the first cleaning element to move relative to the first filter element.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a dishwasher is provided. The dishwasher includes: the cyclone separator according to any one of claims <NUM> to <NUM>; and a pump assembly, in communication with the output pipe or the input pipe of the cyclone separator. The pump assembly is configured to pump the flowing medium.

In some embodiments, the input pipe of the cyclone separator is located at a level lower than a level where the output pipe of the cyclone separator is located.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure may be obvious in the below description part or be understood from the practice of the present disclosure.

The foregoing and/or additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure may become apparent and readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments in combination with the accompanying figures.

Herein, corresponding relationships between reference marks in <FIG> and component names are as follows:.

In order to understand the aforesaid objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure more clearly, a detailed description of the disclosure may be rendered with reference to specific embodiments and appended figures. It should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure and features of the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict.

In the following description, numerous details are intended to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below.

A cyclone separator <NUM> and a dishwasher <NUM> provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to <FIG>.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a cyclone separator <NUM> is provided. The cyclone separator <NUM> includes a first housing <NUM>, a second housing <NUM>, a first filter element <NUM>, a flowing passage <NUM>, an input pipe <NUM>, an output pipe <NUM>, and a reflux portion <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> is arranged in the first housing <NUM>. A waste collection chamber <NUM> is arranged between the second housing <NUM> and the first housing <NUM>. The first filter element <NUM> is arranged in the second housing <NUM>. The first filter element <NUM> is enclosed to form a first filter chamber. The flowing passage <NUM> is located between the first filter element <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The flowing passage <NUM> is in communication with or fluidly connected to the first filter chamber through a filter hole, and the waste collection chamber <NUM> is in communication with the flowing passage <NUM>. The input pipe <NUM> is in communication with the flowing passage <NUM>, and a flowing medium enters the cyclone separator <NUM> through the input pipe <NUM> and forms a cyclone or a rotational flow in the flowing passage <NUM>. The output pipe <NUM> is in communication with the first filter chamber, and the flowing medium is discharged from the cyclone separator <NUM> through the output pipe <NUM>. The flowing medium flows from the waste collection chamber <NUM> to the output pipe <NUM> through the reflux portion <NUM>.

The cyclone separator <NUM> includes the first housing <NUM>, the second housing <NUM>, the first filter element <NUM>, and the reflux portion <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> is arranged in the first housing <NUM>. The waste collection chamber <NUM> is arranged between the second housing <NUM> and the first housing <NUM>. The waste collection chamber <NUM> is configured to collect waste particles. The first filter element <NUM> is arranged in the second housing <NUM>. The first filter element <NUM> has the filter hole. When the flowing medium passes or flows through the first filter element <NUM>, the liquid may enter the first filter chamber of the first filter element <NUM> through the filter hole, and the waste particles may be blocked out of the first filter element <NUM>. The flowing passage <NUM> is arranged between the first filter element <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The flowing passage <NUM> is in in communication with the first filter chamber through the filter hole.

The cyclone separator <NUM> further includes an input pipe <NUM>. The input pipe <NUM> may be arranged on the first housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, the input pipe <NUM> is arranged on the second housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, the input pipe <NUM> is arranged on both the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The input pipe <NUM> is in communication with the flowing passage <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least part of the output pipe <NUM> extends into the first filter chamber, in this way, the output pipe <NUM> is in communication with the filter chamber, and the structure is simplified. A pump assembly is arranged at the input pipe <NUM> of the cyclone separator <NUM> or at the output pipe <NUM> of the cyclone separator <NUM>. The pump assembly may pressurize the flowing medium to disturb the flowing medium in the flowing passage <NUM>. In some embodiments, when the pump assembly is arranged at the input pipe <NUM>, the pressurized flowing medium may enter the flowing passage <NUM> through the input pipe <NUM> and along the tangential direction of the inner wall of the second housing <NUM>, and then form a cyclone in the flowing passage <NUM>. That is, the pressurized flowing medium flows along the peripheral direction of the inner wall of the second housing <NUM> to form the cyclone. It should be noted that, the flowing passage <NUM> is a circular passage, and the flowing medium forms a cyclone in the circular passage, and then enters the first filter chamber through the filter hole on the first filter element <NUM>.

The cyclone separator <NUM> also includes the reflux portion <NUM>, and the reflux portion <NUM> is configured to guide the flowing medium to flow from the waste collection chamber <NUM> to the output pipe <NUM>. The reflux portion <NUM> is in a low-pressure region, the flowing passage <NUM> is in a high-pressure region, and the flowing medium has a trend of flowing from the high-pressure region to the low-pressure region. Under this flowing trend, although the centrifugal force of solid particles located in the flowing passage <NUM> with a density slightly greater than that of the density of fluid is weakened, the solid particles may still flow downwards towards the waste collection chamber <NUM>, thereby achieving a solid-liquid separation. Besides, the filter effect of the first filter element <NUM> may be ensured, and the phenomenon that the first filter element <NUM> is blocked by the waste particles may be avoided. In addition, the wastes in the flowing passage <NUM> may be brought into the waste collection chamber <NUM>, thereby avoiding the waste particles from entering the filter chamber and avoiding secondary pollution to downstream components.

In some embodiments, during the operation of the cyclone separator <NUM>, due to flowing characteristics of the cyclone, the region close to the rotating axis of the fluid in the first filter chamber is the low-pressure region. The reflux portion <NUM> may be arranged in the low-pressure region, in this way, the reflux portion <NUM> is in the region with low pressure to guide the flowing medium in the flowing passage <NUM> to flow into the waste collection chamber <NUM>. In some embodiments, the reflux portion <NUM> may be arranged in the waste collection chamber <NUM>. The reflux portion <NUM> may be connected to a negative pressure device, and the negative pressure device may enable the position on which the reflux portion <NUM> is located to be the low-pressure region, thereby driving the flowing medium in the flowing passage <NUM> to flow towards the waste collection chamber <NUM>. The arranging positions of the reflux portion <NUM> are various, as long as the reflux portion <NUM> may guide the flowing medium to flow along from the flowing passage <NUM> to the waste collection chamber <NUM>. The reflux portion <NUM> may also be arranged on other positions, which are not listed herein.

It should also be noted that, the fluid entering the first filter chamber may pass through the first filter chamber and directly flow out of the first filter chamber through the output pipe <NUM>. The first end of the output pipe <NUM> extends into the first filter chamber, and the second end of the output pipe <NUM> is in communication with an external drainage pipe.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the reflux portion <NUM> includes a reflux opening or reflux inlet arranged on the output pipe <NUM>. The reflux opening is arranged out of the first filter chamber.

In some embodiments, the output pipe <NUM> includes a first end facing the first filter element <NUM> and a second end connected to the drainage pipe. The first end of the output pipe <NUM> extends into the first filter chamber. The reflux opening is arranged on the output pipe <NUM>, and the reflux opening is located out of the first filter chamber. In the flowing process of the fluid, the fluid may enter in the output pipe <NUM> through the first end of the output pipe <NUM>, and then flow out the output pipe <NUM> through the second end.

In some embodiments, the output pipe <NUM> may be formed as an integral pipe or a one-piece pipe or may be formed by splicing two pipes together, as shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments, the output pipe <NUM> includes an inner pipe <NUM> and an outer pipe <NUM> in communication with each other, and the reflux opening is arranged on the inner pipe <NUM>. At least part of the inner pipe <NUM> is located out of the first filter chamber and within the first housing <NUM>. The outer pipe <NUM> is located out of the first housing <NUM>. The reflux opening is arranged on the inner pipe <NUM> and is located out of the first filter chamber. There is a gap between the inner pipe <NUM> and the first filter element <NUM>, in this way, the inner pipe <NUM> may not be closely or tightly attached to the first filter element <NUM>, so as to avoid the filter hole on the first filter element <NUM> from being blocked due to the arrangement of the inner pipe <NUM>, and the fluid may flow in the gap to meet the filter efficiency of the cyclone separator <NUM>. It should be noted that, the reflux passage <NUM> is arranged between the part of the inner pipe <NUM> located out of the first filter chamber and the first housing <NUM>. The reflux passage <NUM> is in communication with the waste collection chamber <NUM>. A part of the inner pipe <NUM> corresponding to or facing the reflux passage <NUM> is provided with the reflux opening. Since the inner pipe <NUM> and the first filter chamber are arranged coaxially, the region close to the rotating central axis of the fluid in the first filter chamber is the low-pressure region according to the flowing characteristics of the cyclone, that is, the reflux opening is located in the low-pressure region of the first filter chamber. The reflux opening is used for the fluid to flow through. During the operation of the cyclone separator <NUM>, the flowing medium entering the flowing passage <NUM> may form a cyclone. The flowing medium may enter the first filter chamber through the first filter element <NUM>, and then flow out through the inner pipe <NUM> and the outer pipe <NUM>. Meanwhile, under the guidance of the reflux portion <NUM>, the flowing medium in the flowing passage <NUM> flows to the reflux opening through the waste collection chamber <NUM> and the reflux passage <NUM>, and then flows out through the inner pipe <NUM> and the outer pipe <NUM>. Based on a flow conservation principle, a flow towards the waste collection chamber <NUM> may be formed in the flowing passage <NUM> to supplement the flow in the reflux opening. The flowing medium in the flowing passage <NUM> flows to the waste collection chamber <NUM> and may carry waste particles to the waste collection chamber <NUM> in a flowing process. In this way, the amount of waste particles separated into the waste collection chamber <NUM> within a unit duration may be increased, and the blockage of the first filter element <NUM> may be effectively alleviated.

In some embodiments, the reflux opening is a strip-shaped hole, a circular hole, etc..

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the inner pipe <NUM> includes a pipe body 1432a and an assembly protrusion 1432b. The reflux opening is defined on the pipe body 1432a. One end of the pipe body 1432a is arranged on the first housing <NUM>. The assembly protrusion 1432b is located on the outer wall of the pipe body 1432a, and the assembly protrusion 1432b is connected to the first filter element <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the inner pipe <NUM> includes the pipe body 1432a and the assembly protrusion 1432b. The pipe body 1432a is a circular pipe, and the reflux opening is arranged on the pipe body 1432a. The fluid may enter the pipe body 1432a through the reflux opening, and then flow to the outer pipe <NUM>. The reflux opening facing or corresponding to the reflux passage <NUM> is arranged on the pipe body 1432a. The reflux opening is used to circulate the fluid flowing from the reflux passage <NUM>, therefore the reflux opening only needs to be arranged corresponding to the reflux passage <NUM>. There is no need to arrange the reflux opening on other positions, so as to reduce processing difficulty and reduce an impact on an overall structural strength by a great opening area of the pipe body 1432a. The assembly protrusion 1432b is arranged on the outer wall of the pipe body 1432a. The assembly protrusion 1432b is used for a fixed connection between the pipe body 1432a and the first filter element <NUM>. The components with different functions are relatively independent of each other to avoid interference between each other.

In some embodiments, the assembly protrusion 1432b extends around a peripheral direction of the pipe body 1432a, so as to fix the position of the pipe body 1432a in various directions. In some embodiments, the assembly protrusion 1432b is located on the center position of the pipe body 1432a, so that the pipe body 1432a on both sides of the assembly protrusion 1432b may be relatively balanced under force.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cyclone separator <NUM> further includes a second filter element <NUM>. The second filter element <NUM> is arranged between the waste collection chamber <NUM> and the reflux portion <NUM>. After passing through the second filter element <NUM>, the flowing medium flows to the output pipe <NUM> through the reflux portion <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the cyclone separator <NUM> further includes the second filter element <NUM>. The second filter element <NUM> is located between the waste collection chamber <NUM> and the reflux portion <NUM>. Under the action of the reflux portion <NUM>, the flowing medium flows from the flowing passage <NUM> to the waste collection chamber <NUM>. The second filter element <NUM> may filter the flowing medium flowing from the waste collection chamber <NUM> to the output pipe <NUM>, thereby further improving the filter effect of the cyclone separator <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the second filter element <NUM> is connected to the first housing <NUM>. The second filter element <NUM> is correspondingly arranged in the reflux passage <NUM>. The second filter element <NUM> has a second filter chamber. The second filter element <NUM> is mainly configured to intercept the waste particles in the waste collection chamber <NUM>. The flowing medium from the waste collection chamber <NUM> flows to the second filter element <NUM> through the reflux passage <NUM>. The fluid passing through the second filter element <NUM> may enter the second filter chamber, pass through the reflux opening, and then flows out through the output pipe <NUM>. The first filter element <NUM> is located between the second filter element <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. That is, compared with the second filter element <NUM>, the first filter element <NUM> is disposed further away from the output pipe <NUM> than the second filter element <NUM>. The first filter element <NUM> is arranged corresponding to or facing the flowing passage <NUM>. The first filter element <NUM> has the first filter chamber, and the second filter chamber is in communication with the first filter chamber. In a forward flowing process, the flowing medium enters the first filter chamber through the first filter element <NUM>, then flows to the second filter chamber, and finally flows out through the output pipe <NUM>. The first filter element <NUM> filters the particles each of which has a size greater than a mesh size to achieve a complete filtration. Meanwhile, the first filter element <NUM> may also significantly reduce the strength of the cyclone in the second housing <NUM> and significantly reduce the resistance of the entire cyclone separator <NUM>. Under the action of the reflux portion <NUM>, the flowing medium in the flowing passage <NUM> may flow towards the waste collection chamber <NUM>. The flowing medium in the waste collection chamber <NUM> may flow to the second filter element <NUM> through the reflux passage <NUM>, and the waste particles may be intercepted by the second filter element <NUM>. The fluid enters the second filter chamber through the second filter element <NUM>, passes through the reflux opening, and then flows out through the output pipe <NUM>.

The cyclone separator <NUM> is formed by the combination of the second filter element <NUM> and the first filter element <NUM>, and the assembly difficulty and the production difficulty may be reduced.

It should be noted that, the second filter element <NUM> may assist the reflux portion <NUM> to ensure that the waste particles may be intercepted when a large volume of reflux is formed due to the arrangement of the reflux opening. In this way, the waste particles brought by the reflux process may be intercepted at the reflux passage <NUM>, and then may be collected in the waste collection chamber <NUM>.

It should be noted that, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first filter element <NUM> and the second filter element <NUM> are combined to form a filter mechanism of the cyclone separator <NUM>. That is, the first filter element <NUM> and the second filter element <NUM> are two independent components. In a splicing process of the two components, there must be a splicing position or a matching position, and a part of the reflux portion <NUM> may be clamped between the first filter element <NUM> and the second filter element <NUM>. Therefore, it is unnecessary to add additional matching components for a fixed installation of the reflux portion <NUM>, and the splicing position or the matching position between the first filter element <NUM> and the second filter element <NUM> may be effectively utilized. In this way, the product structure may be simplified, and the structural compactness of the overall product may be improved.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the cyclone separator <NUM> also includes a waste-discharge outlet <NUM>. The waste-discharge outlet <NUM> is in communication with the waste collection chamber <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the cyclone separator <NUM> also includes a waste-discharge outlet <NUM>. The waste-discharge outlet is arranged on the first housing <NUM>. The waste-discharge outlet <NUM> is in communication with the waste collection chamber <NUM>. The waste particles intercepted by the second filter element <NUM> and the first filter element <NUM> may be deposited in the waste collection chamber <NUM>. During the operation of the cyclone separator <NUM>, the waste-discharge outlet <NUM> may be opened intermittently. After the waste particles are accumulated for a certain duration, the waste particles may be intensively discharged from the waste collection chamber <NUM>.

It should be noted that, the flowing medium may enter the cyclone separator <NUM> through the input pipe. After being filtered by the first filter element <NUM>, the flowing medium is substantially divided into fluid and waste particles (solids). The fluid may flow out through the output pipe, and the solids may be discharged out of the cyclone separator <NUM> through the waste-discharge outlet <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the waste-discharge outlet <NUM> is arranged corresponding to or facing the reflux portion <NUM>, in this way, more wastes may be discharged.

In some embodiments, a part of the second housing <NUM> protrudes away from the first filter element <NUM> to form a buffer portion 12a.

In some embodiments, a part of the second housing <NUM> protrudes away from the first filter element <NUM> to form the buffer portion 12a. The buffer portion 12a may form a buffer groove. The buffer groove is used to increase the volume of the flowing passage <NUM>, in this way, a large amount of flowing medium entering the flowing passage <NUM> may be well buffered, so as to prevent the flowing medium from directly slapping on the first filter element <NUM> since the flowing medium is unable to form a cyclone in time, prevent the wastes from adhering to the first filter element <NUM> and blocking the flow, and prevent a large amount of flowing medium with excessively high velocity from directly slapping on the first filter element <NUM>. When a large amount of flowing medium with excessively high velocity directly slaps on the first filter element <NUM>, the structural strength of the first filter element <NUM> may be threatened.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cyclone separator <NUM> also includes a guiding portion <NUM>. The guiding portion <NUM> is located in the first filter chamber.

In some embodiments, the cyclone separator <NUM> also includes a guiding portion <NUM>. The guiding portion <NUM> is located in the first filter chamber. The guiding portion <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> form a passage that shrinks outward. When the rotating fluid in the flowing passage <NUM> moves from left to right, the fluid tends to move towards the waste collection chamber <NUM>. At this time, the particles in the flowing medium may also flow towards the waste collection chamber <NUM>, which is consistent with the direction of a centrifugal separation, thereby improving the centrifugal separation.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the guiding portion <NUM> includes a cone. The top of the cone is close to the output pipe <NUM>, and the bottom of the cone is away from the output pipe <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the guiding portion <NUM> includes a cone. As for the definition of the cone, a straight line on which a leg of a right triangle is located is taken as a rotating axis, and an aggregation of the surface formed by rotating the other two edges by <NUM> ° is called a cone. The rotating axis is called the axis of the cone, the curved surface formed by rotating the edge that is perpendicular to the axis is called the bottom surface of the cone, and the curved surface formed by rotating the edge that is not perpendicular to the axis is called the side surface of the cone. Herein, the top of the cone is located in the first filter chamber, and the side surface of the cone forms a guiding surface. The guiding surface may guide the fluid to flow from the flowing passage <NUM> to the waste collection chamber <NUM>.

Since the guiding portion <NUM> is cone shaped, the cone may also help the fluid in the filter chamber to form a cyclone better, in this way, the lamellar waste particles in the flowing passage <NUM> may be thrown outward under the action of the centrifugal force, and the fluid may flow towards the output pipe along the guiding surface of the cone.

It should be noted that, when the guiding portion <NUM> is a cone, the space formed between the cone and the second housing <NUM> is gradually shrunk from the top (left) of the cone to the bottom (right) of the cone. When the rotating fluid in the flowing passage <NUM> moves from left to right, the fluid moves towards the bottom of the cone, that is, towards the waste collection chamber <NUM>, in this way, the particles in the flowing medium move towards the waste collection chamber, which is consistent with the direction of a centrifugal separation, and the effect of the centrifugal separation may be improved.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the cyclone separator <NUM> also includes a bottom housing <NUM>. The bottom housing <NUM> is connected to the first housing <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> is located between the bottom housing <NUM> and the first housing <NUM>. The flowing passage <NUM> and the waste collection chamber <NUM> are in communication with each other through a channel <NUM> formed between the bottom housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The reflux portion <NUM> is disposed away from the bottom housing <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the cyclone separator <NUM> also includes the bottom housing <NUM>. The bottom housing <NUM> is detachably connected to the first housing <NUM>. The bottom housing <NUM> is located on a side of the first housing <NUM> away from the output pipe <NUM>. The guiding portion <NUM> is arranged on the bottom housing <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> is located between the bottom housing <NUM> and the first housing <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> is detachably connected to the first housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first housing <NUM> defines an avoidance opening <NUM>, a part of the second housing <NUM> forms a connecting snap 12b, and the connecting snap 12b is engaged with the first housing <NUM> through the avoidance opening <NUM>, in this way, the second housing <NUM> is installed on the first housing <NUM>. It should be noted that, the number of the connecting snaps 12b is multiple, the number of the avoidance openings <NUM> is multiple, the multiple connecting snaps 12b and the multiple avoidance openings <NUM> are arranged in one-to-one correspondence, in this way, the position of the second housing <NUM> on the first housing <NUM> is stable in various directions. The bottom housing <NUM>, the first housing <NUM>, and the second housing <NUM> are combined to form the flowing passage <NUM>, the channel <NUM>, and the waste collection chamber <NUM> which are in communication with each other, in this way, the disturbance of the strong cyclone in the flowing passage <NUM> on the waste collection chamber <NUM> may be reduced, and the waste particles in the waste collection chamber <NUM> may be deposited and may not scatter everywhere.

In some embodiments, a part of the first filter element <NUM> is located between the bottom housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The second filter element <NUM> is located in the first housing <NUM>.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the cyclone separator <NUM> also includes a guiding element <NUM>. The guiding element <NUM> is arranged on the bottom housing <NUM> and located in the channel <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the cyclone separator <NUM> also includes a guiding element <NUM>. The guiding element <NUM> is arranged on the bottom housing <NUM> and located in the channel <NUM>. In other words, the guiding element <NUM> is arranged towards the flowing passage <NUM>. The guiding element <NUM> may reduce the velocity of the flowing medium. If the velocity of the flowing medium entering the flowing passage <NUM> is too great, when the flowing medium with a great velocity directly flows into the waste collection chamber <NUM>, a great disturbance may be brought to the waste collection chamber <NUM>, and the waste particles deposited in the waste collection chamber <NUM> may be disturbed again. By arranging the guiding element <NUM>, the flowing medium with a great velocity may be well restricted, in this way, the velocity of the flowing medium entering the waste collection chamber <NUM> may be reduced, the waste particles may be easily deposited after entering the waste collection chamber <NUM>, thereby facilitating the collection of the waste particles.

In some embodiments, the guiding element <NUM> includes multiple guiding vanes 122a. The multiple guiding vanes 122a are spaced apart from each other on the bottom housing <NUM>. The tangential direction of the inlet of the guiding vane 122a is opposite to the rotating direction of the fluid in the second housing <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the guiding element <NUM> includes multiple guiding vanes 122a, and the multiple guiding vanes 122a are spaced apart from each other on the bottom housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, the multiple guiding vanes 122a are spaced apart from each other on the periphery of the guiding portion <NUM>. A guiding-vane passage is formed between two adjacent guiding vanes 122a, and the guiding-vane passage is in communication with the flowing passage <NUM>. The flowing medium from the flowing passage <NUM> may enter the waste collection chamber <NUM> through the guiding-vane passage. The guiding-vane passage formed between two adjacent guiding vanes 122a may reduce the velocity of the flowing medium.

In some embodiments, each of the multiple guiding vanes 122a includes multiple guiding segments. The multiple guiding segments includes a front straight segment towards the guiding portion <NUM>. The front straight segment is the inlet of the guiding vane 122a, and the front straight segment is a straight segment. The front straight segment has a linear direction extending away from the guiding portion <NUM>, that is, a tangential direction of the inlet of the guiding vane 122a. For the rotating fluid in the first filter chamber, when flowing to the end point of the front straight segment close to the guiding portion <NUM> in the rotating process, the fluid may have a tangential direction opposite to the aforesaid linear direction. By associating the extending direction of the front straight segment with the tangential direction of the rotating fluid, the velocity of the flowing medium that is about to flow into the waste collection chamber <NUM> may be restricted, and the disturbance of the strong cyclone in the flowing passage <NUM> on the waste collection chamber <NUM> may be weakened, in this way, the waste particles may be deposited after entering the waste collection chamber <NUM>, thereby realizing the collection of particles.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cyclone separator <NUM> also includes a driving element <NUM> and a first cleaning element <NUM>. The first cleaning element <NUM> is attached to the outer wall of the first filter element <NUM>. The driving element <NUM> is configured to drive the first cleaning element <NUM> to move relative to the first filter element <NUM>.

In some embodiment, in a using process of the cyclone separator <NUM>, there is still a certain probability that a small amount of wastes may be adhered to the first filter element <NUM>. After the cyclone separator <NUM> is operated multiple times for a long time, more wastes may be accumulated on the first filter element <NUM>. Although some wastes may be washed back to the collection chamber <NUM> under a scouring effect of the fluid, there may still be some wastes that are difficult to be separated from the first filter element <NUM> under the scouring effect of the fluid. Therefore, the cyclone separator <NUM> also includes a driving element <NUM> and a first cleaning element <NUM>. The first cleaning element <NUM> is attached to the outer wall of the first filter element <NUM>. When the driving element <NUM> drives the first cleaning element <NUM> to move relative to the first filter element <NUM>, the first cleaning element <NUM> may clean the outer wall of the first filter element <NUM>, thereby separating the stubborn wastes adhering to the first filter element <NUM>. The separated wastes may enter the waste collection chamber <NUM> through the flowing passage <NUM> and the guiding-vane passage under the action of strong cyclone, thereby being collected.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first cleaning element is located in the flowing passage <NUM>. The first cleaning element <NUM> is attached to the outer wall of the first filter element <NUM>, and the first cleaning element <NUM> is configured to clean the outer wall of the first filter element <NUM>. The cyclone separator <NUM> also includes a first transmission assembly. The driving element <NUM> is connected to the first cleaning element <NUM> through the first transmission assembly. By using the first transmission assembly, the driving element <NUM>, the first cleaning element <NUM>, and the first filter element <NUM> may be flexibly arranged with a great freedom degree. The direction of power transmission may be changed through the first transmission assembly.

In some embodiments, the cyclone separator <NUM> also includes a second cleaning element <NUM>. The second cleaning element <NUM> is located in the reflux passage <NUM>. The second cleaning element <NUM> is attached to the outer wall of the second filter element <NUM>, and the second cleaning element <NUM> is configured to clean the outer wall of the second filter element <NUM>. The cyclone separator <NUM> also includes a second transmission assembly. The driving element <NUM> is connected to the second cleaning element <NUM> through the second transmission assembly. By using the second transmission assembly, the driving element <NUM>, the second cleaning element <NUM>, and the second filter element <NUM> may be flexibly arranged with a great freedom degree. The direction of power transmission may be changed through the second transmission assembly.

It should be noted that, by using the first transmission assembly and the second transmission assembly, one driving element <NUM> may drive two cleaning elements (the first cleaning element <NUM> and the second cleaning element <NUM>) simultaneously. A driving mode of one driving two may be realized, and the compactness of the structure of the cyclone separator <NUM> may be effectively improved.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the driving element <NUM> includes a driving motor. The first transmission assembly includes at least one first driving gear 191a and at least one first driven gear 191b. The at least one first driving gear 191a is sleeved on the transmission shaft <NUM> of the driving motor. The at least one first driven gear 191b is arranged on the first cleaning element <NUM>. The at least one first driven gear 191b is correspondingly engaged to and connected to the at least one first driving gear 191a.

In some embodiments, the driving element <NUM> includes a driving motor. The driving motor has the advantages of simple structure, small space occupation, and low cost.

It should be noted that, the driving motor includes a transmission shaft <NUM>. A coupler <NUM>, a bearing <NUM>, and a sealing element <NUM> are sleeved on the transmission shaft <NUM>. The coupler <NUM> is located out of the first housing <NUM>. The bearing <NUM> is embedded in the outer wall of the first housing <NUM>. The sealing element <NUM> is embedded in the inner wall of the first housing <NUM>. A part of the sealing element <NUM> contacts the reflux passage <NUM>. In some embodiments, the sealing element <NUM> is an oil-sealing bearing <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the second transmission assembly includes a second driving gear 192a and a second driven gear 192b. The second driving gear 192a is sleeved on the transmission shaft <NUM> of the driving motor. The transmission shaft <NUM> and the second driving gear 192a rotate synchronously. The second cleaning element <NUM> is also provided with a second driven gear 192b. The second driven gear 192b and the second cleaning element <NUM> may rotate synchronously. The second driven gear 192b is engaged with the second driving gear 192a. During the operation of the driving motor, the transmission shaft <NUM> rotates, and the second driving gear 192a and the second driven gear 192b also rotate synchronously when driven by the transmission shaft <NUM>, thereby driving the second cleaning element <NUM> to rotate relative to the second filter element <NUM>, in this way, the adhering wastes are separated from the outer wall of the second filter element <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the number of the at least one first driven gear 191b is at least two, and the at least two first driven gears 191b are spaced apart from each other on the first filter element <NUM>. The first cleaning element <NUM> is arranged between two adjacent first driven gears 191b.

In some embodiments, due to the large volume of the first filter element <NUM>, the length of the first filter element <NUM> is great. In order to ensure that the entire outer wall of the first filter element <NUM> is effectively cleaned by the first cleaning element <NUM>, the length of the first cleaning element <NUM> is great. In order to ensure that the first cleaning element <NUM> smoothly scraps the first filter element <NUM>, the number of the first driven gears 191b is at least two, and the first cleaning element <NUM> is connected between two adjacent first driven gears 191b. At this time, the first driven gear 191b may transmit stable power to the first cleaning element <NUM>, in this way, the first cleaning element <NUM> may run smoothly relative to the first filter element <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the cyclone separator <NUM> also includes at least one reinforcing rib. The at least one reinforcing rib is connected to the first cleaning element <NUM>. The at least one reinforcing rib extends around the outer wall of the first filter element <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the cyclone separator <NUM> also includes at least one reinforcing rib. The at least one reinforcing rib is connected to the first cleaning element <NUM>, and the reinforcing rib moves synchronously with the first cleaning member <NUM>. The reinforcing rib extends around the outer wall of the first filtering member <NUM>, so as to provide structural support for the first cleaning member <NUM>, and avoid the deformation of the first cleaning member <NUM> when there are too many wastes adhering to the first filtering member <NUM> and the wastes are difficult to be separated.

According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, as shown in <FIG>, a dishwasher <NUM> is provided. The dishwasher <NUM> includes the cyclone separator <NUM> provided by any one of the aforesaid designs and a pump assembly <NUM>. The pump assembly <NUM> is connected to the output pipe of the cyclone separator <NUM>, and the pump assembly <NUM> is configured to pump the flowing medium.

The dishwasher <NUM> provided by the present disclosure includes the cyclone separator <NUM> provided by any one of the aforesaid designs. Therefore, the dishwasher <NUM> has all the beneficial effects of the cyclone separator <NUM>, which may not be described herein.

In some embodiments, the dishwasher <NUM> also includes a pump assembly <NUM>. The pump assembly <NUM> is connected to the output pipe of the cyclone separator <NUM>. The pump assembly <NUM> may pump clean fluid separated from the cyclone separator <NUM> to the region to be cleaned again, in this way, a circulation filtration is performed inside the dishwasher <NUM>, and water resources may be saved.

In some embodiments, the dishwasher <NUM> also includes a shell <NUM>, a chassis <NUM>, and an installation chamber. The chassis <NUM> is arranged in the shell <NUM>. The installation chamber is located between the shell <NUM> and the bottom wall of the chassis <NUM>. The pump assembly <NUM> and the cyclone separator <NUM> are located in the installation chamber, and the input pipe of the cyclone separator <NUM> is away from the chassis <NUM> compared with the output pipe of the cyclone separator <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the dishwasher <NUM> further includes the shell <NUM>, the chassis <NUM>, and the installation chamber. The chassis <NUM> is arranged in the shell <NUM>. The shell <NUM> forms the outer contour of the dishwasher <NUM>. The chassis <NUM> is configured to separate the shell <NUM> into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The lower chamber is the installation chamber. The pump assembly <NUM> and the cyclone separator <NUM> are located in the installation chamber. The cyclone separator <NUM> is placed horizontally in the installation chamber, that is, the central axis of the filter chamber of the cyclone separator <NUM> extends horizontally. At this time, the input pipe of the cyclone separator <NUM> is away from the chassis <NUM> compared with the output pipe of the cyclone separator <NUM>. That is to say, compared with the output pipe, the input pipe is closer to the horizontal plane on which the dishwasher <NUM> is placed, and the liquid-level depth of the input pipe may be deeper. When the water sprayed on tableware falls by gravity, it is difficult to bring air into the cyclone separator <NUM> through the input pipe, which may weaken the air suction effect of the pump assembly <NUM> located at downstream of the cyclone separator <NUM>, and the dynamic performance of the pump assembly <NUM> may be improved.

In some embodiments, the dishwasher <NUM> also includes a washing chamber, multiple spray arms <NUM>, and a liquid-supply pipeline <NUM>. The washing chamber is located on the side of the chassis <NUM> away from the cyclone separator <NUM>. The multiple spray arms <NUM> are spaced apart from each other in the washing chamber. The multiple spray arms <NUM> are in communication with a pump outlet of the pump assembly <NUM> through the liquid-supply pipeline <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the dishwasher <NUM> also includes a washing chamber located above the chassis <NUM>. The washing chamber is configured to place dishes to be washed. Multiple spray arms <NUM> are spaced apart from each other in the washing chamber, so as to spray and wash the dishes to be washed at various positions in the washing chamber. The multiple spray arms <NUM> are in communication with the pump outlet of the pump assembly <NUM> through the liquid-supply pipeline <NUM>. The filtered fluid in the cyclone separator <NUM> enters the pump assembly <NUM> through the output pipe, flows out of the pump assembly <NUM> through the pump outlet after being pressurized in the pump assembly <NUM>, and then flows to the multiple spray arms <NUM> through the liquid-supply pipeline <NUM>, thereby realizing spray cleaning.

In some embodiments, the multiple spray arms <NUM> include a first spray arm <NUM> and a second spray arm <NUM>. The spray directions of the first spray arm <NUM> and the second spray arm <NUM> are opposite to each other.

In some embodiments, the multiple spray arms <NUM> include the first spray arm <NUM> and the second spray arm <NUM>. The spray directions of the first spray arm <NUM> and the second spray arm <NUM> are opposite to each other, so that the dishes to be washed in different regions may be washed.

In some embodiments, the first spray arm <NUM> is located at the top of the washing chamber, and the first spray arm <NUM> sprays downwards. Compared to the first spray arm <NUM>, the second spray arm <NUM> is arranged close to the chassis <NUM>, and the second spray arm <NUM> sprays upwards. For the same dish to be washed, the first spray arm <NUM> may wash its upper surface, and the second spray arm <NUM> may wash its lower surface. In this way, it may be ensured that different regions of the dish to be washed may be washed pertinently, and the cleaning effect of dishwasher <NUM> may be improved.

In some embodiments, the number of the first spray arm <NUM> is at least one, and the number of the second spray arm <NUM> is at least one, which may be adapted based on the size of the space in the washing chamber.

In some embodiments, at least a part of the chassis <NUM> recesses towards the inner of the installation chamber to form a receiving groove. The dishwasher <NUM> also includes a circulation opening and a circulation pipeline <NUM>. The circulation opening is located on the chassis <NUM> and is in communication with the receiving groove. One end of the circulation pipeline <NUM> is connected to the chassis <NUM>, the circulation pipeline <NUM> is in communication with the circulation opening, and the other end of the circulation pipeline <NUM> is in communication with the input pipe.

In some embodiments, at least a part of the chassis <NUM> recesses towards the inner of the installation chamber, that is, at least a part of the chassis <NUM> recesses downwards to form a receiving groove. The liquid sprayed from the multiple spray arms <NUM> in the washing chamber may fall into the receiving groove after scouring the dishes to be washed. The chassis <NUM> further defines a circulation opening. The circulation opening is in communication with the input pipe of the cyclone separator <NUM> through a circulation pipeline <NUM>. In this way, the flowing medium with waste particles may be transported to the cyclone separator <NUM> through the circulation opening and the circulation pipeline <NUM>, and then a circulation-filtration cleaning may be achieved through the filtration of the first filter element <NUM> and the second filter element <NUM> in the cyclone separator <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A cyclone separator (<NUM>), characterized by:
a first housing (<NUM>);
a second housing (<NUM>), arranged in the first housing (<NUM>), wherein a waste collection chamber (<NUM>) is arranged between the second housing (<NUM>) and the first housing (<NUM>);
a first filter element (<NUM>), arranged in the second housing (<NUM>) and enclosed to form a first filter chamber;
a flowing passage (<NUM>), located between the first filter element (<NUM>) and the second housing (<NUM>), wherein the flowing passage (<NUM>) is in communication with the first filter chamber (<NUM>) through a filter hole, and the waste collection chamber (<NUM>) is in communication with the flowing passage (<NUM>);
an input pipe (<NUM>), in communication with the flowing passage (<NUM>), wherein a flowing medium is capable of entering the cyclone separator (<NUM>) through the input pipe (<NUM>) and forming a cyclone in the flowing passage (<NUM>);
an output pipe (<NUM>), in communication with the first filter chamber, wherein the flowing medium is capable of being discharged from the cyclone separator (<NUM>) through the output pipe (<NUM>); and
a reflux portion (<NUM>), wherein the flowing medium is capable of flowing from the waste collection chamber (<NUM>) to the output pipe (<NUM>) through the reflux portion (<NUM>).