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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaners face challenges in easily separating and washing filters, particularly the HEPA and prefilter, which are often integrated and require complex disassembly, leading to contamination and incorrect assembly issues, and differing replacement cycles causing economic burden.

Innovation Solution

The cleaner design allows for separable coupling of multiple filters, enabling easy separation and washing of filters with different replacement cycles, and includes guide ribs and sealers to prevent incorrect assembly and contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the HEPA filter and prefilter are integrated into a single unit, then filter replacement is simplified, but the HEPA filter cannot be washed with water and replacement costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter replacementVSAvoidfilter cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly is divided into two separate filters: a prefilter that can be removed and washed with water, and a HEPA filter that remains in the housing. The prefilter has a protruding upper end that allows it to be pulled out for cleaning, while the HEPA filter stays sealed and non-washable. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing the prefilter to be cleaned economically while maintaining the HEPA filter's integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the air discharge cover is separated to access the prefilter, then the prefilter can be removed, but debris attaches to the user's hand during gripping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter accessVSAvoiddebris contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A grip portion is provided on the prefilter as an intermediary element for user contact. This grip portion extends beyond the filter housing and is designed to be gripped by the user, allowing removal of the prefilter without direct contact with the debris-covered filter surface. The grip portion acts as a mediator between the user's hand and the contaminated filter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If the prefilter is positioned adjacent to the suction motor for compact design, then space is optimized, but bacteria can proliferate due to high temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaner sizeVSAvoidbacterial proliferation

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is segmented into a removable prefilter and a fixed HEPA filter. The prefilter, which is positioned near the suction motor and exposed to high temperatures, can be regularly removed and washed with water to prevent bacterial proliferation. This segmentation allows the prefilter to be cleaned frequently without disassembling the entire motor housing, maintaining both compact design and hygiene.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If the prefilter and HEPA filter are separated into different components, then they can be cleaned differently, but the assembly process becomes complex and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter cleaning flexibilityVSAvoidfilter assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The prefilter is designed with an asymmetric protruding upper end that extends beyond the HEPA filter housing. This asymmetric design provides a clear visual and tactile guide for correct assembly - the prefilter must be inserted with its protruding end facing upward and engaged with the housing. This asymmetric feature simplifies the assembly process by making it obvious how the components should be positioned, reducing the likelihood of incorrect assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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

Facilitates easy filter maintenance, reduces contamination risk, and optimizes filter management, preventing debris discharge and lowering replacement costs.

Implementation Method 1

a suction motor configured to apply a suction force to air containing dust

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction force: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a dust separating part using centrifugation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 3

a prefilter is provided at a front end of the suction motor in order to prevent the sucked dust from being introduced into the suction motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4681590A1cleaner

Publication Date: 2026.01.21 LG ELECTRONICS INC

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AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a cleaner in which a plurality of filters are separably coupled to a main body housing of the cleaner and configured such that any one of the plurality of filters is separated first, and then another filter is separated, thereby allowing a user to easily separate and wash the filter.