Dual-Chamber Dust Container to Prevent Robot Cleaner Backflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Robot cleaners face inefficiencies in dust discharge due to backflow within the dust container, leading to residual dust accumulation, which complicates the automatic dust discharge mode and inconveniences users who must manually disassemble the container for removal.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a dust container with a first and second chamber, a cyclone separator, and an airflow guide that directs air from the suction device to prevent dust accumulation on the dust collecting cover, enhancing dust separation and discharge efficiency by guiding air flow effectively between the chambers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single chamber dust container is used, then the structure is simple, but dust discharge efficiency is low due to backflow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust discharge efficiencyVSAvoiddust container structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dust container is divided into a first chamber and a second chamber arranged side by side. The first chamber receives air from the suction device and directs it to the second chamber through the dust collecting cover. This segmentation prevents backflow by creating separate flow paths for different stages of dust separation, thereby improving dust discharge efficiency while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If automatic dust discharge mode is implemented, then user convenience is improved, but residual dust accumulation occurs due to backflow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic dust dischargeVSAvoidcomplete dust discharge

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the dust container into two chambers with the dust collecting cover acting as an interface, the system ensures that air flow moves unidirectionally from the first chamber through the dust collecting cover to the second chamber. This prevents backflow that would otherwise cause residual dust accumulation, enabling reliable automatic dust discharge without requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dust collecting cover serves as an intermediary component between the first and second chambers. It not only filters dust but also guides air flow to prevent backflow into the first chamber. This intermediary structure ensures complete dust discharge by maintaining proper flow direction during automatic discharge operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If dust collecting cover surface area is increased, then dust filtration is improved, but air flow guidance becomes difficult causing dust accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust filtration efficiencyVSAvoidair flow guidance

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dust collecting cover with its extended portion acts as an intermediary air flow guide between the first and second chambers. The extended portion specifically directs air flow to move along the dust collecting cover surface toward the second chamber, preventing dust accumulation while maintaining effective filtration across the increased surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The dust collecting cover has different functional zones: a main filtration area for dust separation and an extended portion for air flow guidance. This local differentiation allows the cover to simultaneously achieve effective dust filtration and proper air flow management, preventing dust accumulation on the cover surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration improves dust discharge efficiency, minimizes residual dust in the container, and enhances user convenience by ensuring effective automatic dust discharge without manual intervention.

Implementation Method 1

a cyclone separator disposed in the second chamber and configured to separate dust in air introduced into the second chamber by using centrifugal force of a vortex

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

an airflow guide disposed on an upper portion of the dust collecting cover and configured to guide air flowing above the upper portion of the dust collecting cover toward the second chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow guidance:

Implementation Method 3

a dust collecting cover configured to filter dust in air introduced from the first chamber into the second chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20230363600A1Robot cleaner

Publication Date: 2023.11.16 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A robot cleaner is provided. The robot cleaner includes a main body including a suction device configured to intake dust and a dust container detachably mounted on the main body and configured to separate and store dust from air intaken by the suction device, wherein the dust container includes a first chamber configured to separate and store dust from air introduced from the suction device, a second chamber configured to separate and store dust from air introduced from the first chamber, a dust collecting cover configured to filter dust in air introduced from the first chamber into the second chamber, and an airflow guide disposed on an upper portion of the dust collecting cover and configured to guide air flowing above the upper portion of the dust collecting cover toward the second chamber.