Cleaner for bed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bed cleaners are bulky, costly, and may damage mattresses due to steam sterilization, and require frequent attachment and detachment, while not efficiently addressing dust and germ contamination on mattresses.

Innovation Solution

A compact bed cleaner that can be positioned adjacent to the mattress, movable in the longitudinal direction, equipped with suction ports on both surfaces, ultraviolet irradiation for germ removal, and adjustable height, allowing for efficient dust and germ removal without the need for frequent attachment or detachment, and featuring a variable dust flow path for smooth movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If steam sterilization is used to clean the mattress, then sterilization effect is improved, but the mattress may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization effectVSAvoidmattress damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the steam sterilization mechanism with an ultraviolet (UV) irradiation system. The UV lamp emits ultraviolet light to sterilize the mattress surface, eliminating the need for high-temperature steam that could damage the mattress materials while achieving effective germ removal through photobiological action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the sterilization parameter from thermal energy (steam temperature) to electromagnetic energy (UV light wavelength). This parameter substitution allows sterilization to occur at ambient temperatures, preventing thermal damage to the mattress while maintaining sterilization efficacy through UV radiation's ability to disrupt microbial DNA.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of moving object

If a compact cleaner design is used, then the cleaner volume is reduced, but the cleaning coverage area is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaner volumeVSAvoidcleaning coverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a movable cleaning head that can extend and retract along the longitudinal direction of the mattress. The cleaning head is positioned adjacent to the mattress surface and can move back and forth to cover the entire mattress area, allowing a compact cleaner body to achieve full cleaning coverage through dynamic positioning and motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends the cleaning capability into the longitudinal dimension of the mattress by providing a movable cleaning head that travels along the length of the mattress. This dimensional extension allows a compact cleaner to cover a large surface area by utilizing motion in the longitudinal direction rather than requiring a large stationary structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the cleaner is installed on the bed, then frequent attachment and detachment is eliminated, but the bed usability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment convenienceVSAvoidbed usability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the cleaner with a movable and adjustable cleaning head that can be positioned as needed. The cleaner body can be mounted on the bed frame, but the cleaning head moves independently along the longitudinal direction, allowing the bed to remain usable while the cleaner is installed. The movable mechanism enables the cleaning head to be positioned out of the way when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If suction ports are provided on both surfaces, then dust suction capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust suction capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the cleaning function into two separate surfaces: an upper cleaning head with suction port for the upper mattress surface, and a lower cleaning head with suction port for the lower mattress surface. Each surface is cleaned by its dedicated suction port, eliminating the need for complex dual-sided mechanisms while improving dust suction capability through simple functional segmentation.

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

The cleaner enhances mattress cleaning efficiency, reduces its own volume, allows for uninterrupted bed use, and effectively removes dust and germs using ultraviolet irradiation, while being easily adjustable and movable.

Implementation Method 1

a suction portion for sucking foreign matter from the mattress

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

capable of removing harmful germs (or bacteria) by disposing an irradiation source irradiating ultraviolet rays to the cleaner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet irradiation: Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11565008B2Cleaner for bed

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A cleaner for a bed includes a cleaning body provided to be movable forward or backward with respect to a surface of a mattress of the bed to suck foreign matter from the mattress, and thus the mattress may be easily cleaned.