Dust Collection Unit Coupling That Prevents Accidental Cleaner Detachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaners with detachable dust collection units risk accidental detachment when lifted from the floor, potentially causing damage to the user or the device due to the decoupling mechanism, and existing solutions require additional components to prevent this issue.

Innovation Solution

A cleaner design featuring a rotating shaft and connection member system that prevents decoupling by moving the connection rotating shaft to a position where it contacts a fixing rib, preventing rotation and maintaining the connection when the unit is lifted, using an elastic member to return to a position allowing rotation for decoupling, and separate button and connection members for control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the button member is pressed to decouple the dust collection unit from the main body, then the dust collection unit can be detached for dust removal, but the dust collection unit may accidentally decouple when the cleaner is lifted from the floor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust removal operationVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection rotating shaft is designed to dynamically change position between a first position (allowing rotation for decoupling) and a second position (preventing rotation for stable connection). The elastic member enables automatic position switching based on operational state, making the connection mechanism adaptive rather than static.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic member pre-positions the connection rotating shaft at the second position before lifting operation, creating preliminary resistance against accidental decoupling. This preliminary anti-action prevents the harmful effect of accidental detachment before it can occur during normal lifting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Ease of operation

If the connection unit is designed to be easily detachable for dust removal, then user accessibility is improved, but the device complexity increases to prevent accidental detachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust collection unit detachmentVSAvoidconnection mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member automatically returns the connection rotating shaft to the first position after decoupling, and the connection mechanism self-locks at the second position during lifting without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. The system serves itself by utilizing the elastic potential energy already stored in the elastic member.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it enables rotation for decoupling, prevents accidental rotation during lifting, and automatically returns the shaft to the initial position. This merging of functions into a single component avoids the need for separate mechanisms for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the connection rotating shaft is fixed to prevent rotation, then accidental detachment is prevented, but the ability to intentionally decouple for dust removal is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoiddust removal operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection rotating shaft transitions from a static fixed state to a dynamic state where it can rotate at the first position for intentional decoupling, and automatically shifts to a fixed state at the second position during lifting to prevent accidental detachment. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between stability and operability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotational parameter of the connection rotating shaft is changed based on operational conditions: at the first position, rotation is permitted for decoupling; at the second position, rotation is prevented for stability. The elastic member enables this parameter change by facilitating position transition between the two states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Prevents accidental detachment of the dust collection unit from the main body when lifted, ensuring user safety and device integrity without adding extra components, by ensuring the connection unit remains locked during lifting and only decouples intentionally.

Implementation Method 1

a connection elastic member configured to enable the connection rotating shaft moved relatively to the second position to elastically return to the first position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2979601B1cleaner
Publication Date: 2018.07.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2979601B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2979601B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2979601B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cleaner includes a main body, a dust collection unit coupled with the main body at a part of the main body, and including a rotating shaft installing part, a connection member configured to connect the dust collection unit to the main body, and rotatably installed in the dust collection unit, an insertion part formed in the main body such that at least one part of the connection member is inserted into the insertion part, and a connection rotating shaft rotatably rested on the rotating shaft installing part such that the connection rotating shaft becomes a center of rotation of the connection member, the connection rotating shaft configured to move relatively along the rotating shaft installing part.