Cleaner Station Automatic Dust Bin Emptying to Reduce Manual Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaner stations require frequent manual emptying of dust bins, leading to dust scattering and residual dust issues that reduce suction force and cause offensive odors, with existing solutions either requiring direct user assembly or lacking automatic dust compression.

Innovation Solution

A cleaner station with a coupling part, dust collecting motor, fixing unit, and control unit that automatically detects and fixes the cleaner, opens the suction port, and compresses dust within the dust bin, eliminating the need for manual emptying and reducing dust scattering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the dust bin capacity is increased, then the frequency of emptying is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency of emptyingVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dust bin is equipped with an automatic emptying mechanism that activates when the cleaner is docked at the station. The control unit automatically detects docking and triggers the dust discharge process without requiring user intervention, making the system serve itself by automatically emptying the dust bin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The dust bin includes a compression mechanism that compresses dust before discharge. This preliminary compression action increases the discharge efficiency and allows for more complete emptying, reducing the frequency of manual interventions needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of substance

If manual emptying is performed, then dust can be removed, but dust scattering occurs causing harmful effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust removalVSAvoiddust scattering

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical emptying process is replaced with an automated system using a discharge motor and controlled flow path. The motor-driven mechanism creates a controlled suction or discharge flow that contains dust particles within the flow path, preventing scattering into the surrounding environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

A controlled flow path acts as an intermediary between the dust bin interior and the external environment. This flow path channels dust particles through a defined route, and the discharge cover seals the opening to prevent dust from escaping into the room during the emptying process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If residual dust remains in the dust bin, then the structure is simple, but suction force deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidsuction force

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dust bin includes a compression mechanism that compresses dust toward the discharge opening before the emptying cycle begins. This preliminary compression action consolidates loose dust particles, making them easier to discharge completely and ensuring that residual dust is minimized, thereby maintaining suction force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If residual dust remains in the dust bin, then the structure is simple, but offensive odors are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidoffensive odors

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects when the cleaner is docked and initiates the dust discharge process without user intervention. This self-service mechanism ensures that dust is emptied regularly, preventing the accumulation that would lead to offensive odors, while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution provides convenient and efficient dust removal without user intervention, preventing dust scattering and maintaining suction force by automatically emptying and compressing dust within the cleaner station.

Implementation Method 1

a dust collecting motor accommodated in the housing, disposed below the dust collecting part, and configured to generate a suction force for sucking the dust in the dust bin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS20230346185A1Cleaner station and method of controlling the same

Publication Date: 2023.11.02 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a cleaner station and a method of controlling the same, the method including: a dust bin fixing step of holding and fixing, by a fixing member of the cleaner station, a dust bin of a cleaner when the cleaner is coupled to the cleaner station; a door opening step of opening a door of the cleaner station when the dust bin is fixed; a cover opening step of opening a discharge cover configured to open or close the dust bin when the door is opened; and a dust collecting step of collecting dust in the dust bin by operating a dust collecting motor of the cleaner station when the discharge cover is opened, and as a result, it is possible to open a dust passing hole by detecting coupling of the cleaner without a user's separate manipulation and remove the dust in the dust bin by means of the operation of the dust collecting motor, thereby providing convenience for the user.