Robot Cleaner Air Flow Path for Battery Cooling and Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Robot cleaners face challenges in efficiently suctioning dust due to filter contamination, noise generation during increased suction force, and battery overheating, which affect cleaning performance and energy efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The robot cleaner incorporates a cyclone unit with dual discharge ports and a housing design that allows air to exchange heat with the battery, featuring a fan unit and dust separation system to distribute suction force uniformly and cool the battery, while noise reduction is achieved through chambered structures and vibration attenuators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If suction force is increased to enhance cleaning performance, then dust suction efficiency is improved, but noise generation is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust suction efficiencyVSAvoidnoise generation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The suction force generation is segmented into multiple fan units (first fan unit and second fan unit) that can operate independently or together. This allows the system to distribute the suction workload across multiple smaller sources, maintaining effective cleaning performance while reducing the noise concentration that would result from a single high-power fan.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Duration of action of moving object

If battery capacity is increased to extend use time, then operation duration is improved, but heat generation is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuse timeVSAvoidbattery heat
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Air serves as an intermediary cooling medium that flows through the battery pack, absorbing heat generated by the battery during operation. The air flow path is designed to pass through or near the battery, using the moving air to dissipate thermal energy and prevent overheating, thereby enabling extended use time without excessive heat accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If filter contamination is allowed to accumulate, then device complexity is reduced, but cleaning performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter maintenance systemVSAvoidcleaning performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The dust collected by the filter is extracted and separated into a dust collection bag, which can be independently removed and replaced. This extraction mechanism allows the filter to continue functioning effectively while the accumulated dust is stored separately, maintaining cleaning performance without requiring complex in-situ filter cleaning or replacement systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This design enhances dust suction efficiency, reduces noise transmission, and prolongs battery life by maintaining efficient energy use and preventing overheating, thus improving overall cleaning performance and user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a cyclone unit for separating the dust from the air suctioned through a suction port using centrifugal force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

the air passing through the air flow path exchanges heat with the battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3340849B1Robot cleaner
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3340849B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3340849B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3340849B1 patent drawingFigure 6(a)~6(b)

AI summary

Disclosed is a robot cleaner. The A robot cleaner comprising: a cleaner main body defining an external appearance of the robot cleaner, a suction unit provided in the cleaner main body for suctioning air containing dust, a dust separation unit for separating the dust from the air suctioned through the suction unit, a fan unit connected to the dust separation unit for providing suction force to the suction unit, and a housing having an air flow path for guiding the air discharged from the fan unit, wherein the housing accommodates a battery for supplying electricity to the fan unit, and wherein the air passing through the air flow path exchanges heat with the battery.