Robotic vacuum cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Robotic vacuum cleaners face limitations in moving freely due to electric cords and have difficulty drawing larger debris like sand and small stones with efficient low energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A robotic vacuum cleaner design featuring a nozzle inlet with a frame structure that creates a channel with a larger airflow at the leading edge and lower airflow at the base, using triangular cross-section distance members to direct debris into the opening while minimizing energy consumption, and incorporating rotatable brushes to assist in debris collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the vacuum producing unit produces strong suction to draw larger debris, then cleaning capability is improved, but electric energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning capabilityVSAvoidelectric energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle inlet structure creates different airflow conditions at different locations: the channel portion has larger cross-section for high airflow to draw in larger debris, while the base portion has smaller cross-section for lower airflow to save energy. This local differentiation allows the system to achieve strong suction where needed without uniformly high energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle inlet is segmented into distinct functional zones: a channel portion with larger cross-section for debris intake and a base portion with smaller cross-section for energy efficiency. The distance members further segment the channel into multiple sub-channels, optimizing airflow distribution to draw in larger debris while controlling overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the nozzle inlet is designed to draw larger debris, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris collection capabilityVSAvoidnozzle inlet structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distance members have substantially triangular cross-sections with thin profiles, creating a relatively simple geometric form that achieves complex airflow patterns. This triangular geometry efficiently directs debris while maintaining structural simplicity and avoiding overly complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Use of energy by moving object

If distance members are positioned close to the surface, then energy consumption is reduced, but larger debris may be caught between components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddebris entrapment

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The channel is segmented into multiple sub-channels by the distance members, creating separate flow paths that guide debris smoothly toward the opening. This segmentation prevents debris from becoming trapped between components while maintaining the low-profile configuration close to the surface for energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The substantially triangular cross-section of the distance members creates smooth curved surfaces that guide debris flow rather than creating sharp corners where debris could become trapped. The geometric shape optimizes airflow patterns to prevent entrapment while maintaining compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 effectively draws larger debris into the vacuum cleaner while reducing energy consumption by optimizing airflow and debris direction, ensuring efficient cleaning without increasing the distance between the vacuum and the surface.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum producing unit arranged in fluid communication with the opening. Debris sucked or otherwise propelled into the opening is directed into a debris receptacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a larger air flow is produced in the channel by the vacuum producing unit than at the base portion and the distance members at the first level

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow:

Implementation Method 3

the substantially triangular cross section of the distance members reduces the cross section of the channel towards the opening thus inducing an air speed, which gradually increases towards the opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir speed induction:

Data Source

PatentUS10499778B2Robotic vacuum cleaner

Publication Date: 2019.12.10 AB ELECTROLUX

AI summary

A robotic vacuum cleaner having a nozzle inlet arranged in a portion of a housing of the vacuum cleaner. The nozzle inlet has a frame structure forming an opening. The frame structure has a base portion extending substantially in parallel with a surface to be cleaned, the base portion extending at a first level. A leading edge portion has at least two distance members forming there between a channel to the opening. The channel has a delimiting surface extending at a second level substantially in parallel with the first level. The first level is arranged closer to the surface to be cleaned than the second level. Each distance member has a substantially triangular cross section. At least a portion of side surfaces of the distance members extend substantially perpendicularly to the base portion.