Nested Cyclone Dust Container for Low-Profile Robot Cleaners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robot cleaners face challenges in optimizing their sensing and cleaning mechanisms, including reduced suction force, blind spots for obstacle detection, and inconvenient filter replacement, which affect their efficiency and usability.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner design featuring a suction unit that protrudes from the body with integrated sensing units for enhanced obstacle detection, a dust container with improved assembly and capacity, and a HEPA filter system that allows for easy replacement, addressing issues of suction force, obstacle detection, and filter maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the suction unit is disposed to protrude from the cleaner body, then the suction force is improved, but the probability of collision with obstacles is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The suction unit is configured to be movable relative to the cleaner body, transitioning between a protruding state during cleaning operations to maximize suction force and a retracted state during navigation to minimize collision probability. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize performance based on operational context.
2Power
If the suction unit is disposed to protrude from the cleaner body, then the suction force is improved, but the suction unit is located in a blind spot of the sensing unit
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing unit and suction unit are integrated or positioned in close proximity, with the sensing unit configured to monitor the area around the protruding suction unit. This merging of functions ensures that the sensing capability extends to the previously blind spot area, allowing the system to maintain both protrusion for suction force and detection capability.
3Quantity of substance
If the dust container capacity is increased, then the dust collection efficiency is improved, but the height of the cleaner body is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The dust container is designed with a nested structure where components are arranged concentrically or in overlapping configurations. The cyclone separator, HEPA filter, and dust collection chamber are positioned in a nested arrangement that maximizes the dust container capacity within the constrained height of the cleaner body, allowing increased capacity without increasing overall height.
4Reliability
If the HEPA filter is built into the cleaner body, then the filtration function is improved, but the filter replacement requires disassembly of the cleaner body
Solution Approach 1:
The HEPA filter is segmented from the main cleaner body and integrated into the removable dust container assembly. This segmentation allows the filter to remain built-in for reliable filtration while enabling easy access and replacement by simply detaching the dust container, eliminating the need to disassemble the cleaner body.
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 design enhances obstacle detection and avoidance capabilities, improves dust collection efficiency, and simplifies filter replacement, leading to improved cleaning performance and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
an external case including at least one cyclone filtering dust in air introduced into the dust container
Implementation Method 2
a filter covering the accommodation part to filter fine dust in air passing through the second cyclone
Implementation Method 3
a suction unit sucking air containing dust
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A robot cleaner comprising: a cleaner body; a suction unit sucking air containing dust to be introduced into the cleaner body; and a dust container detachably coupled to the cleaner body, the dust container collecting dust filtered from the air introduced into the cleaner body, wherein the dust container includes: an external case including at least one cyclone filtering dust in air introduced into the dust container; an upper case coupled to an upper portion of the external case, the upper case including an upper opening corresponding to a space into which air passing through the cyclone is discharged; an upper cover detachably coupled to the upper case to open/close the upper opening; and a filter mounted on a rear surface of the upper cover, the filter covering the discharged space of the air passing through the cyclone when the upper cover is coupled to the upper case, to filter dust in the air passing through the cyclone.