Cleaner with a dust sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dust sensors in cleaners face challenges such as complex structure, increased manufacturing costs, inconvenient mounting, and reduced accuracy due to their placement far from the main body, especially when exposed to high airflow rates.

Innovation Solution

The dust sensor is positioned in a part of the cleaner where the suction pipe direction changes, forming an obtuse angle with the main suction flow path, allowing for easier mounting, reduced power supply complexity, and improved accuracy by being closer to the main body, with a sensor cover protecting it from air and dust.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the dust sensor is mounted on a pipe far away from the main body, then the measurement range is extended, but the structure becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust concentration measurement rangeVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dust sensor is nested within the main body of the cleaner, specifically installed in the suction flow path inside the housing. This eliminates the need for external mounting on distant pipes, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining measurement capability through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The dust sensor is merged with the main body structure, combining the measurement function with the housing rather than being a separate external component. This integration reduces the number of parts and simplifies the connection structure between the sensor and power supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If the dust sensor is mounted on a pipe far away from the main body, then the measurement coverage is increased, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust concentration measurement coverageVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The dust sensor is merged with the main body structure, combining the measurement function with the housing rather than being a separate external component. This integration reduces the number of parts and simplifies the connection structure between the sensor and power supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the dust sensor is attached to a straight pipe having a fast air flow rate, then the air flow coverage is maximized, but the accuracy of the dust sensor deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow coverageVSAvoiddust concentration measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The suction flow path is designed with varying flow characteristics at different locations. The dust sensor is strategically positioned in a region where the air flow rate is reduced compared to the main suction path, creating local optimal conditions for accurate measurement while the overall system maintains high air flow coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Measurement precision

If the dust sensor is disposed far from the main body, then the measurement scope is expanded, but the length of electric wire and communication line increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust concentration measurement scopeVSAvoidelectric wire length
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The dust sensor is nested within the main body of the cleaner, specifically installed in the suction flow path inside the housing. This eliminates the need for external mounting on distant pipes, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining measurement capability through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 configuration simplifies the mounting process, reduces costs, enhances dust concentration measurement accuracy, and allows for efficient energy management by adjusting suction motor current based on dust levels, while protecting the sensor from damage.

Implementation Method 1

a dust sensor measuring concentration of dust in the suction flow path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

a fan module moving the air in the suction flow path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3861913B1Cleaner with a dust sensor
Publication Date: 2022.10.26 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3861913B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3861913B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3861913B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a cleaner including a dust separation unit separating dust in the air, a suction flow path supplying outside air to the dust separation unit, a fan module moving the air in the suction flow path, and a dust sensor measuring concentration of dust in the suction flow path. The suction flow path includes a first suction flow path extending in a first direction and a second suction flow path connecting the first suction flow path to the dust separation unit and extending in a second direction that forms an obtuse angle with the first direction, and the dust sensor is disposed in the second suction flow path.