Cleaner Dust Sensor Placement for Accurate Suction Flow Detection

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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 integrated into the suction flow path adjacent to the main body, near a point where the flow rate decreases, allowing for easier mounting, reduced costs, improved accuracy, and simplified power and communication connections by disposing it in the second suction flow path, which forms an obtuse angle with the first path, and is protected by a sensor cover.

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 integrated directly into the suction flow path structure, merging the sensing function with the existing airflow channel. This eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and external connections, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the ability to measure dust concentration in the suction flow.

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 range is extended, but manufacturing cost increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the dust sensor into the suction flow path structure, the manufacturing process is simplified as fewer separate components need to be produced and assembled. This reduces manufacturing complexity and associated costs while still enabling effective dust concentration measurement in the suction flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If the dust sensor is mounted on a pipe far away from the main body, then the measurement range is extended, but separation convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust concentration measurement rangeVSAvoidmounting and separation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dust sensor is integrated as part of the suction flow path structure, which simplifies mounting during assembly and facilitates separation during maintenance. The unified structure eliminates complex connection mechanisms, making both assembly and disassembly operations more convenient while preserving measurement functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Measurement precision

If the dust sensor is mounted on a pipe far away from the main body, then the measurement range is extended, but reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust concentration measurement rangeVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the dust sensor into the suction flow path structure, the system reduces the number of external connections and interfaces that could fail. The unified structure improves reliability by eliminating separate mounting mechanisms and reducing potential failure points while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables accurate dust concentration measurement, quick reflection of results for suction power control, and extended battery life by adjusting suction motor current based on dust levels, while minimizing sensor damage and enhancing reliability.

Implementation Method 1

The dust sensor includes an emission unit emitting light, and a reception unit receiving the light emitted from the emission unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission and absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4137030A1Cleaner with a dust sensor
Publication Date: 2023.02.22 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4137030A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4137030A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4137030A1 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.