Robot Cleaner Dust Compaction to Prevent Scattering During Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robot cleaners face issues with dust scattering during operation and discharge, affecting cleaning performance and user convenience due to air flow-generated dust dispersion from the cyclone unit and dust box.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner design featuring a cyclone unit with a dust box that uses a pressing unit driven by a motor and gear system to compact dust, preventing scattering by rotating the pressing member in two directions and efficiently arranging components for enhanced dust collection and spatial efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If dust is collected in the dust box during robot cleaner operation, then dust accumulation function is improved, but dust scattering occurs due to air flow generation
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing unit is extracted as a separate functional component from the dust box structure. It includes a pressing member with a pressing portion that can be selectively activated to compact dust, separating the dust collection function from the dust containment function to prevent scattering during operation and discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing unit performs preliminary compaction of dust before discharge occurs. By pressing the dust in advance, the dust is compacted into a denser state that prevents scattering during subsequent discharge operations, addressing the harmful effect before it manifests.
2Productivity
If dust is discharged from the dust box, then dust removal function is improved, but dust scattering causes user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing unit performs preliminary compaction of dust before discharge occurs. By pressing the dust in advance, the dust is compacted into a denser state that prevents scattering during subsequent discharge operations, addressing the harmful effect before it manifests.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing action converts the potential harm of dust scattering into a benefit by compacting the dust into a controlled state. The pressing member applies force to densify the dust, transforming loose particulate matter into a compacted form that can be discharged without scattering, thus converting what would be a harmful scattering event into a controlled discharge process.
3Reliability
If the robot cleaner includes a pressing unit to compact dust, then dust containment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing unit is segmented into distinct functional components: a pressing member with a pressing portion, a driving mechanism, and a control system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system simplicity. The pressing member can be a simple mechanical element that rotates to apply pressing force, rather than a complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing unit serves multiple functions: it compacts dust to prevent scattering during operation, facilitates easier dust discharge by reducing dust volume, and can be integrated with the existing dust box structure. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing multiple benefits from a single integrated component.
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 effectively prevents dust scattering during operation and discharge, enhancing cleaning performance and user convenience by ensuring dust is compacted and contained within the dust box, improving the overall cleaning efficiency and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a cyclone unit configured to separate dust from the dust-included air sucked through the suction unit by using a centrifugal force
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
A robot cleaner includes: a suction unit configured to suck dust-included air; a cyclone unit configured to separate dust from the dust-included air sucked through the suction unit by using a centrifugal force, and having a dust discharge opening; a first guiding member and a second guiding member spaced apart from each other, and configured to connect the suction unit and the cyclone unit with each other; a dust box detachably mounted to the cyclone unit so as to be communicated with the dust discharge opening, and disposed on the first and second guiding members at least partially; a driving unit disposed between the first and second guiding members; and a pressing unit provided at the dust box, and mechanically connected to the driving unit when the dust box is mounted to the cyclone unit, and formed to be rotatable in two directions by receiving a driving force from the driving unit such that dust collected in the dust box is pressed to have a deceased volume.