Robot Vacuum Shutter System for Adjustable Suction Force Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional robot cleaners with fixed fan motor capacity struggle to efficiently suction dust due to a constant suction force, which limits their effectiveness in varying cleaning conditions such as different floor types and dust sizes.

Innovation Solution

A robot cleaner with a movable shutter system that adjusts the suction force by altering the air flow path area through suction guide grooves, allowing for dynamic control of suction force based on detected surfaces, dust size, and user input, utilizing a shutter driving device controlled by a sensor and motor system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fan motor with fixed capacity is used, then the device structure is simple and cost is reduced, but the suction force cannot be adjusted for varying cleaning conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction force adjustmentVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter is made movable to dynamically adjust the air flow path area, transforming the static suction system into a dynamic one that can adapt to varying cleaning conditions while using a fixed-capacity fan motor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter changes the physical parameter of air flow path area, thereby adjusting the suction force delivered to the suction port without changing the fan motor capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If a constant suction force is applied, then the fan motor operation is simple and energy consumption is reduced, but dust removal efficiency decreases on varying floor types and dust sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust removal efficiencyVSAvoidsuction control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The controller receives signals from sensors detecting floor type and dust characteristics, then automatically adjusts the shutter position to optimize suction force, creating a closed-loop feedback system that enhances dust removal efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically adjusts suction force based on sensor detection without requiring manual user intervention, making the complex adaptation process transparent and easy to operate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If the air flow path area is increased, then more air and dust can be suctioned, but the suction force per unit area decreases reducing effectiveness on fine dust

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow rateVSAvoidsuction force density
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter dynamically adjusts the air flow path area to optimize the balance between total air flow rate and suction force density, allowing the system to adapt to different dust types and floor conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 adjustable suction force enhances dust removal efficiency by varying the air flow rate and path, effectively cleaning floors with different surfaces and sizes of dust, while allowing user control for specific cleaning needs.

Implementation Method 1

a fan motor to generate a suction force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

the shutter opens or closes rear sides of the plurality of suction guide grooves by moving up and down

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow control:

Data Source

PatentEP3427626B1Robot vacuum
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3427626B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3427626B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3427626B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a robot cleaner which adjusts a suction area of air suctioned into a suction port through a shutter and a shutter driving device configured to operate the shutter, so that a flow rate of air is adjusted, thus more effectively suctioning dust in the air by using a fan motor having a fixed capacity.