Robotic Vacuum Dust Container Docking Seal Against Dust Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric vacuum cleaners with autonomous robotic units lack a detachable dust container mechanism, making maintenance and cleaning difficult, and fail to effectively prevent dust leakage in the transfer passage from the vacuum unit to the station.
Innovation Solution
An electric vacuum cleaner design featuring a detachable primary dust container with a disposal port and lid on the autonomous robotic vacuum cleaning unit, connected to a dust transfer pipe at the station, which opens to prevent dust leakage during transfer, using a lever mechanism to ensure fluidic connection and minimize joint risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a detachable dust container is applied to enable easy maintenance and cleaning, then ease of operation is improved, but dust leakage in the transfer passage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dust container is divided into a detachable container body and a separate cover portion, allowing the container to be easily removed and cleaned while maintaining a sealed connection during operation. The disposal lid is also segmented into a lid body and cover portion that can separate and reconnect during dust transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposal lid incorporates a lever mechanism that dynamically changes its state between closed (during normal operation) and open (during dust transfer to station). This dynamic mechanism allows automatic opening when the vacuum cleaner returns to the station, enabling dust discharge without manual intervention while maintaining sealing during movement.
2Reliability
If the disposal lid remains closed to prevent dust leakage, then dust leakage prevention is improved, but dust discharge to the station is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The disposal lid uses a lever mechanism that automatically transitions from closed to open state when the vacuum cleaner docks at the station. The lever is positioned to be engaged by the station structure, causing automatic opening for dust discharge while maintaining closed position during autonomous cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever mechanism is designed to automatically open the disposal lid when the vacuum cleaner returns to the station, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system self-activates the dust discharge process through the mechanical interaction between the lever and station structure.
3Ease of operation
If the disposal port is opened downward for easy dust discharge, then ease of operation is improved, but dust leakage during movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disposal lid dynamically changes orientation and position based on the operational state. During autonomous cleaning, the lid remains closed regardless of the disposal port's downward orientation. When docking at the station, the lever mechanism opens the lid to allow dust discharge in the downward direction, combining the benefits of both orientations through state-dependent behavior.
Data Source
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AI summary
Proposed is an electric vacuum cleaner with which it is possible to effectively prevent leakage of dust in a dust transport channel that extends from the dust container of an autonomous robotic vacuum cleaning unit to a station. The cleaning unit (2) includes a body case (11) having a dust container opening (37), and a primary dust container (12) having: a container body (38) detachably provided to the body case (11), the container body (38) accumulating dust collected by the cleaning unit (2); a connecting part (39) exposed from the dust container opening (37), or facing the dust container opening (37), when attached to the body case (11); a disposal port (41) provided in the connecting part (39), the disposal port (41) discharging dust from inside the container body (38); and a disposal lid (42) opening and closing the disposal port (41). The station (5) includes a dust transfer pipe (25) contacting the connecting part (39) of the primary dust container (12) and connected to the disposal port (41), and a secondary dust container (68) in which dust discharged from the primary dust container (12) through the dust transfer pipe (25) is accumulated.