Robot Cleaner Filter Detection to Prevent Unfiltered Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robot cleaners face difficulties in accurately operating cleaning operations when the dust collecting case is attached without a filter, as foreign substances are not filtered and discharged outside, leading to inefficient cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner design that includes a detection unit to verify the attachment of a filter, which controls the suction and moving units only when the filter is detected, ensuring proper filtration and collection of foreign substances, and displays a notification when the filter is not attached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the dust collecting case is attached without the filter, then the robot cleaner can operate with simpler structure, but foreign substances are not filtered and discharged outside reducing cleaning accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit checks whether the filter is attached to the dust collecting case before the robot cleaner starts operating. This preliminary detection prevents the cleaner from operating without proper filtration, ensuring cleaning accuracy while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection unit provides feedback about filter attachment status to the control unit, which then controls whether the cleaner operates. This feedback mechanism ensures that the cleaner only operates when the filter is properly attached, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and cleaning accuracy.
2Reliability
If the detection unit is added to verify filter attachment, then cleaning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a magnetic detection mechanism where a magnet is embedded in the filter and detected by a hole sensor. This simple magnetic field-based detection replaces complex mechanical verification systems, improving cleaning accuracy while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection mechanism utilizes the thin film or shell structure of the filter assembly to integrate the magnet and detection components closely, allowing for a compact detection unit that adds minimal complexity to the overall system.
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
Ensures accurate and efficient cleaning operations by restricting suction and movement when the filter is not attached, preventing foreign substance discharge and enhancing cleaning effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a hole sensor for detecting a magnet (333) provided at the filter
Implementation Method 2
an optical sensor for detecting light irradiated form the light generating unit
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a robot cleaner including a main body, a suction unit that sucks air including foreign substances into the main body, a moving unit that moves the main body, a dust collecting unit that has a filter for filtering the foreign substances included in the air sucked by the suction unit and a dust collecting case that collects the foreign substances filtered by the filter, and a detection unit (310) that detects whether or not the filter is attached to the main body.