Autonomous cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous cleaners face issues with reduced suction force, separation of brush rollers, increased collision probability of the suction unit with obstacles, blind spots in sensing, and inconvenient HEPA filter replacement.
Innovation Solution
The autonomous cleaner design includes a suction unit protruding from the cleaner body with cover members to prevent collisions, a sensing unit that overlaps with the suction unit for obstacle detection, and a dust container with a user-friendly assembly mechanism and easily replaceable HEPA filter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the suction unit protrudes from the cleaner body, then the suction force is improved, but the collision probability 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 operations and retracting when obstacles are detected by the sensing unit. This dynamic configuration allows the suction unit to maintain an optimal position for suction performance while automatically avoiding collisions, thus resolving the contradiction between improved suction force and reduced collision probability
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing unit continuously monitors the environment ahead of the cleaner and provides feedback signals to the control unit. When an obstacle is detected within a predetermined distance, the control unit activates the drive wheel to reverse or change direction, preventing the suction unit from colliding with obstacles. This feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain high suction performance while avoiding collisions through real-time environmental awareness
2Productivity
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 sensing elements positioned at different locations and angles, including front, side, and downward-facing sensors. This multi-dimensional sensing arrangement ensures that the suction unit, when protruding, remains within the detection range of at least one sensing element, eliminating blind spots while maintaining optimal suction performance
3Productivity
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 (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
Solution Approach 2:
The HEPA filter is extracted from the permanent structure of the cleaner body and relocated to the dust container assembly. This extraction maintains the filter's effectiveness in the air flow path while providing convenient access through the removable dust container, resolving the contradiction between filtration effectiveness and replacement convenience
4Productivity
If the dust container has a complex assembly structure, then the dust collection is effective, but the assembly and disassembly become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The dust container is divided into distinct modular components (container body, lid, filter assembly, dust discharge mechanism) that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation maintains effective dust collection through proper component integration while enabling simple assembly and disassembly operations for user maintenance and emptying
Data Source
AI summary
A autonomous cleaner includes: a cleaner body including a wheel unit for autonomous traveling; a suction unit provided to protrude from one side of the cleaner body, the suction unit sucking air containing dust; a sensing unit provided at the one side of the cleaner body; a dust container accommodated in a dust container accommodation part formed at the other side of the cleaner body, the dust container collecting dust filtered from sucked air; and a dust container cover hinge-coupled to the cleaner body to be rotatable, the dust container cover being provided to cover a top surface of the dust container when the dust container cover is coupled to the dust container.