Handheld Cleaner Flow Guide for Simplified Filter Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handheld vacuum cleaners have complex structures with numerous parts, making it difficult to clean pre-motor filters and reducing suction efficiency due to dust accumulation, and require disassembly to access filters.

Innovation Solution

A cleaner design with a simplified structure featuring a single flow guide that forms both suction and exhaust passages for the suction motor, allowing for easy filter separation and improved airflow, reducing dust accumulation and increasing suction force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate structures are used for guiding air discharged from the cyclone to the motor and for guiding air that has passed through the motor to the post motor filter, then the airflow paths are clearly defined, but the number of parts increases and the structure becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow path definitionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the suction passage guide and exhaust passage guide into a single integrated flow guide structure. The flow guide has a first portion that guides air from the cyclone to the motor and a second portion that guides air from the motor to the post motor filter, merging two separate guiding functions into one component. This reduces the number of parts while maintaining clear airflow path definition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flow guide serves multiple functions: it acts as both a suction passage guide and an exhaust passage guide, and also provides structural support for mounting the motor and filters. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the pre motor filter is disposed between the airflow generator and the cyclone and surrounded by a housing, then the filter is protected, but it requires disassembly of the product to access the filter for cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter protectionVSAvoidfilter accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into removable parts, specifically the dust container can be detached to provide access to the pre motor filter. This segmentation allows the filter to remain protected during normal operation while being easily accessible for cleaning by simply removing the dust container rather than disassembling the entire product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dust container serves as an intermediary element that, when removed, provides access to the pre motor filter. This mediator approach allows the filter to be protected during operation while enabling easy maintenance through a simple intermediate step of removing the dust container.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design enhances suction efficiency, simplifies maintenance by allowing easy filter access, and reduces the number of parts, resulting in a more compact and user-friendly cleaner with improved airflow and extended battery life.

Implementation Method 1

a suction motor that generates suction force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction force generation:

Implementation Method 2

a dust separation unit that separates dust from air sucked by the suction force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDust separation: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentUS10939789B2Cleaner
Publication Date: 2021.03.09 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • US10939789B2 patent drawing
  • US10939789B2 patent drawing
  • US10939789B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A cleaner includes: a suction motor that generates suction force; a dust separation unit that separates dust from air sucked by the suction force; a motor housing that covers the suction motor; a flow guide that surrounds an outer side of the motor housing and guides air discharged from the dust separation unit to the suction motor; and a body that forms an external appearance by surrounding the flow guide and guides air discharged from the suction motor together with the flow guide.