Automatic cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automatic cleaners are limited in effectively cleaning areas outside the footprint of their suction port due to the restricted reach of their side brushes, which can be damaged and require large storage spaces when extended for increased cleaning areas.

Innovation Solution

The automatic cleaner features a side brush assembly with a rotatable brush housing and driving force transmission members, including gears and a cam mechanism, allowing the side brush to move outside the casing footprint for efficient debris collection while being retractable for storage, reducing the risk of damage and storage space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the length of the side brush is increased to expand the cleaning area, then the cleaning area is substantially increased, but the side brush may be damaged while the automatic cleaner is in a cleaning operation or is stored, and the automatic cleaner requires a large storage space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning areaVSAvoidside brush damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The side brush assembly is designed to be movable relative to the casing, transitioning between a first position (retracted inside the casing) and a second position (extended outside the casing). This dynamic configuration allows the side brush to achieve a longer effective length for expanded cleaning area when needed, while being retractable to a shorter length for storage and operation, thereby reducing damage risk and storage space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If the length of the side brush is increased to expand the cleaning area, then the cleaning area is substantially increased, but the automatic cleaner requires a large storage space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning areaVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The side brush assembly is nested within the casing when not in use, with the brush housing positioned inside the casing footprint. This nesting arrangement allows the automatic cleaner to maintain a compact storage volume while still providing access to a longer side brush when extended to the second position for cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Area of stationary object

If the side brush is extended outside the casing footprint to clean areas outside the suction port, then the cleaning area is expanded, but the side brush may be damaged while the automatic cleaner is in a cleaning operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning areaVSAvoidside brush damage during operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The side brush assembly transitions dynamically between retracted and extended positions. When extended to the second position, the brush housing is positioned outside the casing footprint to enable cleaning of areas outside the suction port. The movable design allows the side brush to be retracted to the first position when not in use, protecting it from damage during storage and non-operational periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If a side brush is disposed on the bottom of the casing to move foreign substance outside the suction port footprint, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the side brush requires a long length that increases damage risk and storage requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidside brush assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The side brush assembly is segmented into multiple components: a brush housing, a side brush, and a movable connection mechanism to the casing. This segmentation allows the side brush to be extended when needed for effective cleaning while being retractable to reduce damage risk and storage requirements, thereby managing the complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 design enhances cleaning efficiency by allowing the side brush to reach outside the suction port area without increasing storage space or damage risk, providing a more comprehensive cleaning area while maintaining compact storage and reduced vulnerability during operation.

Implementation Method 1

The second driving force transmission member comprises at least one gear and a cam mechanism connected to the at least one gear

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Implementation Method 2

an elastic member that provides elastic force to the first or second link member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3143917B1Automatic cleaner

Publication Date: 2020.02.05 LG ELECTRONICS INC

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AI summary

An automatic cleaner (100) includes a casing (110) including a suction port (111), a suction device disposed in the casing (110) to suction a foreign substance through the suction port (111), a moving device (140) that moves the casing (110), and a side brush assembly (200) movably installed on the casing (110). The side brush assembly (200) includes a brush housing (210) rotatable about a first rotation shaft (211), and a brush (230) rotatably mounted on the brush housing (210) by a second rotation shaft (232). The second rotation shaft (232) is moved according to a rotation of the brush housing (210).