Inclination-Driven Airflow Diverter With Sealed Path Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fluid flow path diverting apparatuses in vacuum cleaners face issues such as incomplete path blocking leading to decreased fluid pressure, mechanical wear, user inconvenience, and complex assembly with high manufacturing costs due to multiple parts and fasteners.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a path selecting unit, driven by a member that moves with the inclining of the vacuum cleaner, using a cam and elastic member to selectively connect fluid flow paths, reducing the need for complex structures and fasteners, and enhancing sealing with shielding plates and a sealing member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a plate type valve member is used to divert fluid flow paths, then the structure is simple, but the paths cannot be completely blocked leading to decreased fluid pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidfluid pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The valve member is divided into a plate portion and a blocking portion that work together. The plate portion guides the fluid flow, while the blocking portion with protrusions completely seals off the unused path by engaging with corresponding grooves in the housing, preventing fluid leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking portion acts as an intermediary element between the plate valve and the housing. It provides the necessary sealing interface through protrusions that fit into grooves, ensuring complete path isolation without requiring the entire plate to be perfectly sealed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a ball joint is used to change fluid flow path, then the path can be diverted, but the ball joint and contacting surface wear out over time due to weight transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepath diversion capabilityVSAvoidmechanical wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful weight transmission function is extracted from the valve member. Instead of the valve member supporting its own weight on the housing, the elastic member supports the valve member's weight, eliminating continuous friction and wear between the valve and housing surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical friction-based ball joint system is replaced with an elastic member-based system. The elastic member provides the necessary force to move the valve without continuous contact friction, substituting a wear-free elastic deformation mechanism for the worn-prone mechanical friction system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional path diverting apparatuses are used, then fluid flow paths can be changed, but complicated structures require many parts and fasteners making assembly difficult and manufacturing expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepath selection capabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions are merged into the valve member: the plate portion for flow guidance, the blocking portion for path isolation, and the elastic member for actuation and positioning. This integration eliminates the need for separate components, fasteners, and assembly steps, simplifying both manufacturing and assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve member is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs flow guidance, path blocking, actuation response, and self-positioning. This universal design reduces the total number of parts needed in the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 allows for efficient and convenient diversion of fluid flow paths, reducing pressure loss, simplifying assembly and maintenance, and lowering manufacturing costs by integrating components and eliminating the need for extra fasteners.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member to provide the path selecting tube with a recovery force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic recovery: Elastic Recovery

Implementation Method 2

a cam formed on the path selecting tube, the cam including a hinge hole to be engaged with a hinge protrusion, and a cam groove to receive a driving protrusion of the driving member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentUS8789234B2Apparatus for diverting fluid flow path

Publication Date: 2014.07.29 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus for diverting a fluid flow path automatically diverts a fluid flow path in accordance with inclining of a main body, and includes two or more selectable fluid flow paths through which an external air stream is drawn, a fixed fluid flow path to be selectively connected to one of the selectable fluid flow paths, a path selecting unit to connect the fixed fluid flow path to one of the selectable fluid flow paths, and a driving member to provide a driving force for path selecting of the path selecting unit. If mounted in an external apparatus, the driving member causes the path selecting unit to move and connect to the fixed fluid flow path in accordance with inclining of the external apparatus.