Robot Cleaner Dust Container Cover for Secure Fit and Easy Filter Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robot cleaners face challenges with suction force reduction, brush roller separation issues, increased collision probability of the suction unit with obstacles, and inconvenient HEPA filter replacement due to suboptimal design and assembly complexities.

Innovation Solution

A robot cleaner design featuring a dust container firmly fixed to the dust container accommodation part with a locking mechanism, a suction unit protruding to avoid collisions, and a hinge-coupled filter case for easy replacement, along with improved sensor placement and air flow management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the suction unit is disposed to protrude from the cleaner body, then the suction force is improved and brush roller separation is enabled, but the probability of collision with obstacles increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction forceVSAvoidcollision probability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction unit is designed to be movable relative to the cleaner body through a lifting mechanism. The controller dynamically adjusts the suction unit's position based on sensor feedback - retracting when obstacles are detected and extending when the path is clear, thus maintaining both high suction force and collision avoidance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A sensor is integrated to detect obstacles in real-time and provide feedback to the controller. The controller processes this information and automatically adjusts the suction unit's position, creating a closed-loop control system that balances cleaning performance with collision prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If the HEPA filter is integrated inside the cleaner body, then the device structure is compact, but disassembly is required for filter replacement or cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter integration structureVSAvoidfilter replacement convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is segmented into modular components - the HEPA filter is mounted on the dust container cover rather than being permanently integrated into the cleaner body. This allows the filter to be accessed by simply removing the dust container cover, eliminating the need for complex disassembly while maintaining a compact overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The HEPA filter is extracted from the main cleaner body structure and relocated to the dust container cover assembly. This extraction enables independent access to the filter through the dust container cover removal mechanism, simplifying maintenance operations without compromising the integrated design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the dust container and dust container cover are separately assembled, then the assembly process becomes complex, but the dust container can be firmly fixed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust container fixationVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting projections are integrally formed with the dust container cover as a single piece, eliminating separate fastening components. This merging of the cover and mounting features simplifies the assembly process to a single snap-fit operation while ensuring reliable fixation through the projection-groove engagement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3459417B1Robot cleaner
Publication Date: 2023.05.17 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3459417B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3459417B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3459417B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A robot cleaner comprising: a cleaner body including a wheel unit and a controller controlling driving of the wheel unit; a dust container accommodation part having a shape recessed toward the front from the rear thereof to be opened to the rear; a dust container detachably coupled to the dust container accommodation part, the dust container have a portion protruding rearward of a rear end of the cleaner body in a state in which the dust container is accommodated in the dust container accommodation part; and a dust container cover rotatably coupled to the cleaner body to cover the dust container, wherein the dust container cover is accommodated in the dust container accommodation part in a state in which the dust container cover is disposed to cover the dust container, and a portion of the dust container cover protrudes rearward of the rear end of the cleaner body.