Elastic Support Air Duct Structure to Reduce Autonomous Cleaner Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing autonomous cleaning devices operating in high-power mode produce loud noise due to increased friction and impact between airflow and air ducts, affecting user experience.

Innovation Solution

A noise reduction air duct device with a support noise reduction structure made of elastic material, airflow buffer, and exhaust port, along with an active noise reduction system using a microphone, speaker, and noise elimination circuit to neutralize motor noise, is integrated into the autonomous cleaning device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the autonomous cleaning device operates in high-power mode to improve cleaning performance, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but noise level increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidnoise level
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an air duct as an intermediary component between the motor and the external environment. The air duct channels airflow in a controlled manner, reducing turbulent flow and impact noise generated during high-power operation. The duct structure acts as a mediator that allows the motor to operate at high power while preventing direct transmission of noise to the surrounding environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible or elastic damping materials and flexible shell structures within the air duct system. These flexible components absorb vibrations and reduce noise generated by airflow turbulence and motor operation. The flexible elements can deform to accommodate pressure variations while dampening noise, allowing high-power operation without excessive noise transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of manufacture

If the air duct structure is simplified to reduce device complexity, then manufacturing ease is improved, but noise reduction capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair duct manufacturingVSAvoidairflow noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air duct is divided into multiple segmented sections rather than a single continuous structure. Each segment can be independently manufactured and assembled, simplifying production while allowing optimization of each section for noise reduction. The segmented design enables incorporation of noise-absorbing materials in specific sections without complicating the entire duct structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air duct employs composite material construction, combining rigid structural materials with flexible or porous noise-absorbing materials. This composite approach allows the duct to maintain structural integrity for easy manufacturing while incorporating noise-reducing properties through the flexible or porous material layers, achieving both ease of manufacture and noise reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 noise reduction air duct device effectively absorbs vibrations and reduces operational noise by minimizing airflow impact and friction, enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

a support noise reduction structure made of an elastic material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The noise reduction air duct device effectively absorbs vibrations and reduces operational noise by minimizing airflow impact and friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4115787B1Autonomous cleaning device and noise reduction air duct device thereof
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 BEIJING SHUNZAO TECH CO LTD
  • EP4115787B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4115787B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4115787B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An autonomous cleaning device and a noise reduction air duct device are provided for autonomous cleaning device. The noise reduction air duct device includes an upper housing (8), a lower housing (9) and a support noise reduction structure (12) made of elastic material. The lower and upper housings (9, 8) enclose to form an air duct (91), an air inlet (10) is arranged at a position of the air duct (91) corresponding to a motor (4) of the autonomous cleaning device, and an air outlet (5) is arranged on a side of the air duct (91) away from the air inlet (10); the support noise reduction structure (12) has a first end fixed on the lower housing (9), and a second end abutting against a lower surface of the upper housing (8).