Robot cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Robot cleaners face issues with filter blockages due to foreign substances, leading to reduced cleaning efficiency and requiring frequent maintenance, and cyclone separators are inefficient at low flow rates, causing power consumption and usability problems.

Innovation Solution

A dust collector with two chambers, one using a filter and the other a cyclone separator, where the filter includes a dust remover mechanism to automatically clean dust attached to it, and a docking station for easy dust discharge, improving dust separation efficiency and reducing maintenance needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a filter is used in the dust collector, then dust separation efficiency is improved, but the filter is easily blocked by foreign substances requiring frequent maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust separation efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dust collector is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber with a filter for fine dust separation and a second chamber with a cyclone separator for coarse dust removal. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific types of dust, preventing the filter from being blocked by large foreign substances while maintaining high dust separation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cyclone separator in the second chamber performs preliminary dust removal by separating coarse dust and foreign substances from the air flow before the air enters the filter in the first chamber. This preliminary action protects the filter from blockages and reduces maintenance frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If a cyclone separator is used for dust collection, then device complexity is reduced, but dust separation efficiency is insufficient at low flow rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust collector structureVSAvoiddust separation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dust collector is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber with a filter for fine dust separation and a second chamber with a cyclone separator for coarse dust removal. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific types of dust, preventing the filter from being blocked by large foreign substances while maintaining high dust separation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different separation mechanisms are applied to different chambers based on local requirements: the cyclone separator in the second chamber handles coarse dust with simple structure, while the filter in the first chamber handles fine dust requiring higher separation efficiency. This local quality approach optimizes both complexity and efficiency in different regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If the filter is cleaned manually by disassembly, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but productivity is reduced due to frequent maintenance interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter assembly precisionVSAvoidcleaning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The dust collector enables self-service cleaning through two mechanisms: the cyclone separator automatically removes coarse dust without manual intervention, and the removable first chamber allows quick access to the filter for maintenance. This reduces the need for frequent manual cleaning and minimizes productivity interruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The dust collector is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber with a filter for fine dust separation and a second chamber with a cyclone separator for coarse dust removal. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific types of dust, preventing the filter from being blocked by large foreign substances while maintaining high dust separation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enhances cleaning efficiency by effectively separating dust using both filter and cyclone separator mechanisms, reducing filter blockages and extending service life, while allowing continuous operation at low flow rates without power consumption issues.

Implementation Method 1

a second chamber configured to collect dust by using the cyclone dust separator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

air, which is separated by the cyclone dust separator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 3

a first chamber configured to collect dust by using the filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 4

The dust remover may remove dust attached to the body by being in contact with at least a part of the body based on a rotation of the filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical contact cleaning: Brush

Data Source

PatentEP3893709B1Robot cleaner
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3893709B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3893709B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3893709B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A robot cleaner is provided. The robot cleaner includes a main body, a suction motor provided in the main body to generate a suction force, and a dust collector removably coupled to the main body to collect dust contained in air suctioned by the suction motor. The dust collector includes a first chamber to which the air, which is suctioned into the main body by the suction motor, is introduced, the first chamber including a filter to filter out dust in the suctioned air, and a second chamber arranged side by side with the first chamber, the second chamber including a connection port to which air, which is filtered by the filter in the first chamber, is introduced, and a cyclone dust separator to separate dust from the introduced air.