Filter assembly and floor cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users often forget to reinstall or incorrectly reinstall removable components in floor cleaners, such as brushrolls and filters, leading to poor cleaning performance and potential damage to the device, especially when low-quality replacement components are used.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a detection mechanism with a permanent magnet and a Hall Effect sensor to ensure correct installation of replaceable components, preventing operation of electrically-powered components if the magnet is not detected, and providing visual or audio warnings for incorrect installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If removable components are made easily replaceable, then ease of maintenance is improved, but risk of incorrect installation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of maintenanceVSAvoidinstallation correctness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides immediate feedback through visual indicators (lights) and audible signals (beeps) to confirm whether a component is correctly installed. The Hall effect sensor detects the presence and position of a magnet on the component, and the controller activates indicators to guide the user until proper installation is achieved, eliminating guesswork in component reinstallation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical installation verification (physical checks, alignment marks) with an electromagnetic detection system. A magnet embedded in the component interacts with a Hall effect sensor in the housing to electronically verify correct installation, providing more reliable and precise detection than mechanical methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If detection mechanism is added to verify component installation, then installation correctness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation correctnessVSAvoiddetection mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of implementing a complex system-wide verification mechanism, the patent applies a localized, simple detection system only at the component installation interface. The Hall effect sensor and magnet are positioned specifically where the component meets the housing, providing verification exactly where needed without adding complexity elsewhere in the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The magnet serves as a simple intermediary element that enables communication between the component and the detection system. This passive magnetic marker is far simpler than alternative approaches such as optical codes, RFID tags, or mechanical interlocks, yet provides reliable verification of component presence and orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If operation is prevented without proper components, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidoperational convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of component installation before allowing operation. The controller checks for the presence of the magnet and correct component installation through the Hall effect sensor, and only permits the motor to operate once verification is complete. This prevents damage before it occurs rather than requiring post-installation checks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically performs the verification function without requiring user intervention or external tools. The Hall effect sensor continuously monitors for the magnet, and the controller autonomously enables or disables operation based on detection results, eliminating the need for manual verification steps by the user.

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

Ensures proper operation of floor cleaners by ensuring correct installation of brushrolls and filters, preventing damage and maintaining cleaning performance by only allowing operation when authorized and correctly installed components are in place.

Implementation Method 1

a detection mechanism comprising a magnet on the replaceable component and a Hall Effect sensor positioned to detect the permanent magnet when the replaceable component is correctly installed on the floor cleaner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHall Effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11337575B2Filter assembly and floor cleaner

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 BISSELL INC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a floor cleaner that includes a replaceable component, such as a brushroll or a filter. The floor cleaner has a detection mechanism comprising a magnet on the replaceable component and a Hall Effect sensor positioned to detect the permanent magnet when the replaceable component is correctly installed on the floor cleaner. Operation of one or more electrically-powered components of the floor cleaner is prevented when the permanent magnet is not detected by the Hall Effect sensor.