Robot Cleaner Cyclone Layout for Compact Dust Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robot cleaners face challenges with increased volume due to cyclone dust separators, leading to reduced driving performance and frequent filter maintenance, as they struggle to balance dust separation efficiency and compact design.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a cyclone dust separator with multiple cyclone units arranged in rows and inclined at a predetermined angle within a compact design, allowing for efficient dust separation and extended filter life while maintaining a compact main body size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cyclone dust separator is included in the robot cleaner, then dust separation efficiency is improved, but the volume of the main body increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclone dust separator is divided into multiple cyclone units (first cyclone units and second cyclone units) arranged in parallel. Each cyclone unit independently performs dust separation, allowing the system to achieve high dust separation efficiency while maintaining a compact overall structure. The segmentation of the dust separator into multiple smaller units rather than one large unit resolves the contradiction between separation efficiency and volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second cyclone units are arranged side by side in a nested configuration within the main body, with the second cyclone units positioned adjacent to the first cyclone units. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization and allows multiple dust separation functions to be integrated into a compact volume, resolving the contradiction between including a dust separator and maintaining small main body volume.
2Volume of moving object
If no dust separator is included to maintain compact size, then main body volume is reduced, but filter clogging occurs frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclone dust separator performs preliminary dust separation before air reaches the filter. By removing a significant portion of dust particles in advance through centrifugal force in the cyclone units, the filter is protected from rapid clogging. This preliminary action extends filter service life while maintaining a compact main body volume without requiring a large dust separator.
Solution Approach 2:
The cyclone dust separator acts as an intermediary between the brush device and the filter. It serves as a intermediate stage that pre-cleans the air stream, reducing the burden on the filter and extending its service life. This intermediary function allows the system to maintain compact size while protecting the filter from frequent clogging.
3Reliability
If the main body volume is large to include dust separator, then dust separation efficiency is improved, but driving performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The dust separator is segmented into multiple compact cyclone units arranged efficiently within the main body. This segmentation allows the dust separation function to be achieved with a smaller overall volume, maintaining good driving performance while ensuring effective dust separation. The divided structure fits better within the constraints of a compact robot cleaner design.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second cyclone units are arranged side by side in a planar configuration rather than stacking them vertically or using a single large vertical structure. This dimensional arrangement optimizes space utilization within the main body, maintaining a compact profile that preserves driving performance while incorporating effective dust separation capability.
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 enhances dust separation efficiency, extends filter service life, and improves driving performance by maintaining a compact size, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and increasing the cleanable area.
Implementation Method 1
a cyclone unit configured to separate dust contained in air
Implementation Method 2
a cyclone unit including a plurality of cyclone units arranged in two or more rows along a first direction in which the rotation axis extends
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A robot cleaner capable of extending the service life of a filter by including a cyclone unit is provided. The robot cleaner includes a main body including wheels configured to rotate about a rotation axis, a brush device provided in the main body to draw in air containing dust, a first chamber, through which the air drawn in through the brush device is introduced, configured to change a traveling direction of the introduced air, and a second chamber connected to the first chamber and including a dust separator separating dust contained in air, and arranged side by side with the first chamber in a direction in which the rotation axis extends.