Robot Cleaner Multi-Cyclone Design for Filter-Free Suction Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robot cleaners face reduced cleaning efficiency due to clogged filters, which decrease suction force, and existing cyclone dust collectors either compromise dust-collecting performance or increase the device's size when trying to maintain a compact design.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of multiple cyclone units with varying sizes and strategically positioned suction flow paths connected to a suction unit, along with a discharge circulation flow path, enhances dust-collecting capability and suction force while allowing for a compact design by improving space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a filter is used to clean suctioned air, then air quality is improved, but the filter becomes clogged over time reducing suction force
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of the filter (catching dust) is separated from the air discharge path. Instead of filtering air before discharge, the patent extracts dust particles from the suction air stream using cyclone units, allowing clean air to be discharged without passing through a clog-prone filter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic cyclone separation instead of mechanical filtration. The cyclone units create vortex flows that separate dust particles from air using centrifugal force, replacing the filter mechanism while maintaining air cleaning function and preventing suction force reduction.
2Reliability
If a cyclone dust collector is designed with appropriate ratio and size for high dust-collecting efficiency, then dust-collecting performance is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cyclone dust collection system into multiple separate cyclone units (first and second cyclone units) with different sizes. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for specific dust particle sizes while keeping individual unit sizes compact, solving the contradiction between collection efficiency and overall device size.
Solution Approach 2:
Different cyclone units are designed with different sizes and characteristics suited for collecting different types of dust particles. The first cyclone unit handles larger particles while the second handles finer particles, allowing each component to have local quality optimized for its specific function while maintaining compact overall dimensions.
3Reliability
If multiple cyclone units with varying sizes are used to improve dust-collecting capability, then dust separation performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cyclone units with different functions are merged into a single integrated dust collection system. The first and second cyclone units work together in combination, sharing common structural elements and integration points, which reduces overall complexity compared to having completely separate systems while maintaining enhanced dust separation performance.
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
This configuration improves dust-collecting performance and suction force, ensuring efficient cleaning without increasing the robot cleaner's size, and prevents weakened suction force at the ends of the suction port, maintaining a slim and effective cleaning device.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of cyclone units configured to separate foreign substances in air suctioned through the suction port
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of cyclone units may have different sizes
Implementation Method 3
A suction motor is provided in the robot cleaner and supplies a suction force so that dust on the floor surface can be suctioned by the suction unit
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a robot cleaner having an improved dust-collecting capability and an improved suction force and capable of being manufactured in a small size. The robot cleaner includes a main body comprising a fan motor and having a suction port provided in one side thereof; a plurality of cyclone units configured to separate foreign substances in air suctioned through the suction port; and a plurality of suction flow paths connecting the plurality of cyclone units and the suction port.