Autonomous cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot cleaners face challenges with reduced suction force, separation of brush rollers, increased collision probability of suction units with obstacles, blind spots in sensing, and inconvenient HEPA filter replacement, which affect their efficiency and usability.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a suction unit protruding from the cleaner body with cover members to prevent collisions, a sensing unit with overlapping fields of view to detect obstacles, and a modular dust container system with easy filter access, allowing for improved navigation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the suction unit protrudes from the cleaner body, then the suction force is improved, but the probability of collision with obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction unit is designed to be movable relative to the cleaner body, capable of protruding forward during cleaning and retracting when obstacles are detected by the sensing unit. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain high suction force when needed while minimizing collision probability through automatic retraction, directly resolving the technical contradiction between improved suction performance and reduced collision risk.
2Power
If the suction unit protrudes from the cleaner body, then the suction force is improved, but the suction unit is located in a blind spot of the sensing unit
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing unit is configured with multiple sensors positioned at different locations and angles, creating overlapping fields of view that extend into the area where the suction unit protrudes. This multi-dimensional sensing arrangement eliminates blind spots in front of the suction unit, allowing the system to maintain both the protruding configuration for high suction force and complete obstacle detection capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the HEPA filter is integrated into the cleaner body, then the filtration is effective, but the filter replacement requires disassembly of the cleaner body
Solution Approach 1:
The HEPA filter is segmented from the main cleaner body and integrated into the removable dust container assembly. This segmentation allows the filter to remain integrated with a functional unit (the dust container) for effective filtration, while enabling easy access and replacement by simply detaching the dust container, eliminating the need to disassemble the cleaner body structure.
4Reliability
If the dust container has a complex coupling structure, then the assembly is secure, but the assembly and disassembly become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The complex multi-step coupling structure is replaced by extracting the essential securing function and implementing it through simple elastic hooks that engage with corresponding slots. This extraction of the core function maintains secure assembly through the elastic retention force while dramatically simplifying the assembly and disassembly operations to a single snap-in/snap-out action, resolving the contradiction between security and convenience.
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
Enhances the robot cleaner's ability to avoid obstacles, maintain suction efficiency, and simplify maintenance, resulting in improved navigation and cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
a flow separating part extending downwardly inclined along the inner circumference of the dust container
Data Source
AI summary
A robot cleaner comprising: a cleaner body including a controller, the cleaner body having a dust container accommodation part formed therein; a wheel unit mounted in the cleaner body, the wheel unit of which driving is controlled by the controller; and a dust container detachably coupled to the dust container accommodation part, wherein a first opening and a second opening are disposed at the same height in an inner wall of the dust container accommodation part, wherein the dust container includes: an entrance and an exit, disposed side by side along the circumference of the dust container, the entrance and the exit, respectively communicating with the first opening and the second opening when the dust container is accommodated in the dust container accommodation part; and a flow separating part extending downwardly inclined along the inner circumference of the dust container, the flow separating part separating the flow of air introduced into the entrance from the flow of air discharged toward the exit to be respectively guided to lower and upper portions thereof.