Robot Cleaner Dust Box Nesting for Extended Cleaning Duration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Robot cleaners with small dust box capacities require frequent emptying and may experience reduced suction force due to accumulated dust, limiting their effectiveness in cleaning large areas.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner design featuring a cyclone unit with multiple cyclones and guiding members to efficiently separate dust from air, a dust box with increased capacity within a restricted space, and a fan unit for external air discharge, enhancing dust filtration and cleaning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the dust box capacity is increased, then the cleaning duration is extended, but the device height increases and cannot fit under low furniture
Solution Approach 1:
The dust box is repositioned from a vertical arrangement (which would increase height) to a horizontal arrangement between the suction unit and cyclone unit. This dimensional change allows the dust box to extend in the horizontal direction rather than increasing the vertical profile, thereby maintaining compatibility with low-clearance environments while providing increased dust storage capacity for extended cleaning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The dust box is nested within the existing structural framework of the cleaner body, specifically positioned in the space between the suction unit and cyclone unit. This nesting approach allows the dust box to utilize otherwise wasted internal space, increasing storage capacity without adding external dimensions that would prevent the device from fitting under furniture
2Loss of time
If the dust box capacity is increased, then the frequency of emptying is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dust box structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides extended dust storage capacity, maintains a compact horizontal profile that fits within the device footprint, and integrates with the existing suction and cyclone units. This multi-functionality achieves the goal of reduced emptying frequency without proportionally increasing device complexity
3Productivity
If the dust box is positioned to maximize capacity, then the suction force may be reduced due to accumulated dust, but the cleaning effectiveness is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The dust box is extracted from the traditional position near the cyclone unit and relocated to the space between the suction unit and cyclone unit. This separation ensures that the dust collection chamber is spatially distinct from the suction pathway, allowing dust to accumulate in the box without directly interfering with the suction force generation at the cyclone, thereby maintaining cleaning effectiveness while enabling larger capacity
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 allows for effective dust filtration and increased dust box capacity, reducing the need for frequent emptying and maintaining suction force, thereby improving cleaning efficiency and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
the cyclone unit having a first suction opening and a second suction opening for sucking air, and the cyclone unit having a first cyclone and a second cyclone for passing air therethrough, the air having dust filtered therefrom by a centrifugal force
Data Source
AI summary
A robot cleaner includes a cleaner body, a suction unit, and a cyclone unit. The cyclone unit has a first suction opening and a second suction opening for sucking air, and a first cyclone and a second cyclone for passing air therethrough, the air having dust filtered therefrom by a centrifugal force. A first guiding member and a second guiding member extend upwardly from the suction unit toward the cyclone unit with an inclination angle, the first guiding member for connection between the suction unit and the first suction opening, and the second guiding member for connection between the suction unit and the second suction opening. A dust box communicated with a dust discharge opening is provided at a front side of the cyclone unit so as to collect dust filtered by the cyclone unit. The dust box is partially or wholly accommodated between the first and second guiding members.