Robot cleaner station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robot cleaner stations face issues with dirt remaining or settling due to vortex formation in the suction passage, leading to unstable air flow and inefficient dirt collection.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a ventilation hole on one side of the guide unit, allowing external air to flow towards the vortex region, suppresses vortex generation and stabilizes the air flow for effective dirt transport and collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a suction passage is provided in the robot cleaner station to suction dirt from the dust collector, then dirt collection function is improved, but vortex formation occurs in the suction passage causing dirt settlement and unstable air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful vortex region from the suction passage by providing a separate discharge passage that bypasses the vortex-prone area. The discharge passage is positioned to allow air flow without passing through the vortex region where dirt settles, thereby separating the useful suction function from the harmful vortex formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary discharge passage that mediates between the suction passage and the external environment. This intermediate channel allows air to be discharged from the dust collector without directly exposing it to the vortex region, thus protecting the air flow stability while maintaining dirt collection efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If the suction passage is designed to allow air flow, then dirt suction is enabled, but vortex formation causes dirt to settle and remain in the passage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air flow path into two separate passages: a suction passage for drawing in dirt-laden air and a discharge passage for expelling air. This segmentation allows the suction function to operate independently without causing vortex formation that would lead to dirt settlement in the discharge path.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to prevent vortex formation in the conventional suction path, the patent inverts the approach by providing a separate discharge passage that flows in the opposite direction or bypasses the vortex region entirely. This reversal avoids the harmful effect while maintaining the useful suction capability.
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 prevents dirt settlement and stabilizes the air flow, ensuring efficient dirt suction and collection within the robot cleaner station.
Implementation Method 1
a vortex region inside the guide unit between one side of the guide unit where the guide unit starts to horizontally extend in the cleaner seating portion and the suction port, the vortex region being where a vortex that causes settlement of the dirt is formed; and a ventilation hole configured to allow a flow of external air directed from the one side of the guide unit, where the guide unit starts to horizontally extend, to the vortex region
Implementation Method 2
a suction port through which dirt from a dust collection device of the robot cleaner is suctioned; a station suction device configured to generate a suction force such that the dirt from the dust collection device of the robot cleaner is suctioned into the collection chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A robot cleaner station includes a cleaner seating portion including a suction port, a collection device including a collection chamber, and a station suction device configured to generate a suction force such that dirt from the dust collection device is suctioned into the collection chamber, and a connection part having one end connectable to the suction port and another end connectable to the collection chamber. The connection part comprises: a guide unit horizontally extending in the cleaner seating portion, a vortex region, inside the guide unit between one side of the guide unit where the guide unit starts to horizontally extend and the suction port, and where a vortex causing settlement of the dirt is formed, and a ventilation hole configured to allow a flow of external air from the one side of the guide unit at which the guide unit starts to horizontally extend to the vortex region.