Handheld Vacuum Cleaner Airflow Design for Simplified Filter Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handheld vacuum cleaners have complex structures with many parts, making it difficult to access and clean filters, which leads to reduced suction ability due to dust accumulation and increased airflow resistance.

Innovation Solution

A cleaner design featuring a single flow guide that forms both suction and exhaust passages for the suction motor, reducing the number of parts and complexity, allowing for easier filter access and maintenance, while maintaining a compact and efficient air passage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate structures are provided for guiding air from cyclone to motor and from motor to post motor filter, then air flow guidance is achieved, but the number of parts increases and structure becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow guidanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple air flow guidance functions into a single integrated flow guide structure. This flow guide structure simultaneously guides air from the cyclone to the motor and from the motor to the post-motor filter, eliminating the need for separate structures and reducing overall part count while maintaining effective air flow control throughout the system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flow guide structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the air passage from cyclone to motor and the air passage from motor to post-motor filter. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall structure by having one component fulfill multiple air guidance roles that would traditionally require separate dedicated structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If pre motor filter is surrounded by housing and disposed between airflow generator and cyclone, then filtration is achieved, but filter access becomes difficult requiring product disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefiltrationVSAvoidfilter accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the vacuum cleaner into modular components where the dust container can be easily removed, and the pre-motor filter is positioned within the flow guide structure that becomes accessible upon dust container removal. This segmentation allows the filter to remain protected during operation while being easily accessible for maintenance through simple container removal rather than full product disassembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If multiple separate structures are used for air passages, then air flow control is precise, but the cleaner size increases and compactness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow controlVSAvoidcleaner size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple air passage functions into a single integrated flow guide structure that contains internal pathways for directing air from cyclone to motor and from motor to post-motor filter. This consolidation maintains precise air flow control through well-defined internal passages while significantly reducing the overall space required compared to having separate external structures for each air passage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simplified design enhances suction force, extends battery life, and improves user convenience by allowing easy filter separation and cleaning, reducing airflow loss and maintaining a compact appearance.

Implementation Method 1

a suction motor for generating suction power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a dust-separating unit for separating dust from air which has been sucked in by the suction power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentEP4104735B1Cleaning apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.05.03 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4104735B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4104735B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4104735B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides a cleaner comprising a suction motor (20) that generates suction force; an impeller (200) positioned at an upper portion in the suction motor (20); a first cyclone unit (110) that separates dust from air sucked by the suction force; a second cyclone unit (130) that separates dust from air received from the first cyclone unit (110); a motor housing (26, 27) covering at least the suction motor (20); a pre-filter (29) that surrounds an outer surface of the motor housing (26, 27); and air passage (232) that surrounds an outer surface of the pre-filter (29) and flows air discharged from the second cyclone unit (130) toward the suction motor (20).