Robot Cleaner Dust Box Shutter for Heavy Dust Exhaust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robot cleaners face issues with unintentional dust discharge from the dust box when separated and difficulty in discharging heavy items due to a stepped structure at the inlet, which can trap coins and other heavy granules.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner with a shutter structure that includes a first shutter rotatably coupled to the dust box inlet, which opens and closes based on the dust box's mounting state, and a second shutter that opens with air pressure from the automatic exhaust station to facilitate dust discharge, preventing backflow and ensuring easy removal of heavy dust.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the dust box inlet is kept closed when the dust box is separated from the body, then dust discharge is prevented, but heavy items cannot be discharged when docking with the automatic exhaust station
Solution Approach 1:
The dust box inlet is divided into two separate inlets: a first dust box inlet for normal dust collection and a second dust box inlet for heavy item discharge. This segmentation allows each inlet to serve its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between preventing dust leakage and enabling heavy item discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
A shutter mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component that selectively opens or closes the first dust box inlet based on the operational state. The shutter acts as a mediator between the dust box and the external environment, allowing controlled access for heavy items while maintaining dust containment during normal operation.
2Productivity
If a stepped structure is formed at the inlet of the dust box, then dust collection is improved, but heavy items are trapped and cannot be discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet structure is segmented into two separate inlets with different configurations. The first inlet maintains the stepped structure for effective dust collection, while the second inlet provides a clear passage for heavy item discharge, eliminating the trade-off between dust collection efficiency and heavy item discharge capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different local structures are provided at different locations of the dust box inlet. The first inlet area has a stepped structure optimized for dust collection, while the second inlet area has a smooth structure optimized for heavy item passage, allowing each location to have the quality needed for its specific function.
3Reliability
If the first shutter is always closed to prevent dust discharge, then dust containment is improved, but dust collection during cleaning operation is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The first shutter is designed as a dynamic component that automatically changes its state based on the operational conditions. It remains closed during separation to prevent dust discharge and opens during docking to allow dust collection, adapting its configuration to the current operational phase without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter system operates autonomously based on the docking state of the dust box. When the dust box is docked with the cleaning device, the shutter automatically opens to allow dust collection; when separated, it automatically closes to prevent dust discharge, making the system self-regulating without external control.
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 shutter structure effectively prevents unintentional dust discharge when the dust box is separated and enables easy automatic exhaustion of heavy dust when docking with the automatic exhaust station, ensuring efficient cleaning operations.
Implementation Method 1
The first shutter may be closed by gravity when a pressing force applied from the body to the first shutter is removed.
Implementation Method 2
The second shutter may be opened by a pressure of air blown to the second shutter.
Implementation Method 3
The air pressure may be generated by exhaust air discharged from an automatic exhaust station, with which the body docks.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot cleaner provided with a shutter to open or close an inlet of a dust box when the dust box is separated from a body of the robot cleaner. Another robot cleaner, which docks with an automatic exhaust station, is also disclosed, together with the automatic exhaust station. The latter robot cleaner includes a shutter to be automatically opened by air discharged from the automatic exhaust station in a docked state of the robot cleaner to exhaust dust from the dust box, in order to allow even heavy dust to be easily exhausted.