Robot Cleaner Dust Collector With Backflow Control for Low Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robot cleaners face limitations in cleaning performance due to the use of low-capacity fan motors, which restrict suction force and hinder the collection of bulky or varied dust shapes, while increasing suction hole size to improve performance compromises suction force.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner design featuring a dust collector with multiple collecting regions, including a first region for heavy dust swept by a rotating brush and a second region for light dust collected by a blower, along with a backflow preventing member and guide portion to enhance dust collection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the suction hole area is increased to improve dust collection ability, then the ability to collect bulky or various shapes of dust is improved, but the suction force generated by the fan motor deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dust collector is divided into multiple collecting regions (first collecting region for heavy dust, second collecting region for light dust) with different communication configurations. The first collecting region communicates directly with the suction hole for bulky dust, while the second region receives dust through airflow, allowing different dust types to be collected through different mechanisms simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the dust collector are designed with different functional characteristics. The first collecting region is optimized for receiving heavy/bulky dust directly from the suction hole, while the second collecting region is optimized for receiving light dust through airflow, allowing each region to specialize in collecting specific dust types.
2Volume of moving object
If a low-capacity fan motor is used to maintain small size and low height for cleaning under furniture, then the robot cleaner can operate in confined spaces, but the suction force is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The dust collection function is segmented into two regions: the first collecting region that collects heavy dust through direct gravitational settling and brush sweeping, and the second collecting region that collects light dust through airflow. This segmentation allows the system to maintain small size while achieving effective dust collection through multiple mechanisms rather than relying solely on high suction force.
Solution Approach 2:
A rotating brush is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the suction hole and the dust collector. The brush sweeps up dust and delivers it to the dust collector, enhancing the collection ability without requiring increased suction force from the fan motor.
3Force
If the suction hole area is reduced to strengthen suction force, then the suction force is improved, but the ability to collect bulky or various shapes of dust deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dust collector is divided into multiple collecting regions (first collecting region for heavy dust, second collecting region for light dust) with different communication configurations. The first collecting region communicates directly with the suction hole for bulky dust, while the second region receives dust through airflow, allowing different dust types to be collected through different mechanisms simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the dust collector are designed with different functional characteristics. The first collecting region is optimized for receiving heavy/bulky dust directly from the suction hole, while the second collecting region is optimized for receiving light dust through airflow, allowing each region to specialize in collecting specific dust types.
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 design achieves a 95% cleaning efficiency, significantly higher than conventional robot cleaners, by effectively separating and collecting heavy and light dust, even with a low-capacity blower, and preventing dust discharge through the suction hole.
Implementation Method 1
a rotating brush provided at a side of the suction hole, and the robot cleaner may be configured to sweep up and collect the dust into the dust collector by a drive force of the rotating brush
Implementation Method 2
a blower to generate a suction force to be applied into the dust collector
Implementation Method 3
a dust collector to receive the dust suctioned through the suction hole, the dust collector including at least one first collecting region to receive dust swept up by the rotating brush, and a second collecting region to receive dust introduced by interaction of the rotating brush and the blower
Data Source
AI summary
A robot cleaner including a suction hole to suction dust, a blower to generate a suction force to suction the dust, a dust collector to receive the dust suctioned by said suction force through the suction hole, and a rotating brush to sweep up and collect the dust into the dust collector through the suction hole by a drive force of the rotating brush. The dust collector includes a backflow preventing member movable between an open position and a closed position. The backflow preventing member is pivotably rotatable in an air suction direction by the suction force of the blower to the open position and is adapted to return to the closed position to prevent the dust in the dust collector from being discharged through the suction hole upon stoppage of the blower.