Steam Cleaner Module with Nested Heater for Low-Profile Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaners face challenges in maintaining a low center of gravity, maximizing water storage capacity, preventing heat damage to electronic devices, and avoiding water droplets from falling onto the heater during wet cleaning operations.

Innovation Solution

A cleaner design featuring a water container positioned above the heater with a recessed heater disposition part, inclined surfaces, and storage parts surrounding the heater to absorb heat and maintain the center of gravity, along with an air channel to balance water levels and prevent water droplets from falling onto the heater.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the water container and heater are installed in the main body, then sufficient water storage capacity is secured, but the center of gravity becomes high making operation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater storage capacityVSAvoidoperation difficulty due to high center of gravity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaner is divided into a main body and a detachable cleaning module. The water container and heater are installed in the cleaning module rather than the main body, separating the weight distribution. This allows the main body to remain lightweight while the cleaning module contains the water storage capacity, lowering the overall center of gravity and improving operability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If the water container and heater are installed in the main body, then sufficient water storage capacity is secured, but the size of the nozzle assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater storage capacityVSAvoidnozzle assembly size

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into a main body and a cleaning module. The water container and heater are placed in the cleaning module, which can be detached or separated from the main body. This segmentation allows the nozzle assembly in the main body to remain compact while the water storage function is relocated to the cleaning module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of energy

If the heater is exposed without surrounding structures, then heat dissipation is efficient, but electronic devices near the heater are damaged by heat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidelectronic device reliability due to heat damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The water container is positioned to surround the heater on three sides, creating localized thermal management. The water absorbs heat from the heater through thermal conduction, preventing excessive heat from reaching electronic devices. This local quality change allows efficient heat dissipation while protecting sensitive components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Length of stationary object

If the cleaning module height is reduced for low-profile cleaning, then spatial utilization is improved, but water storage capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning module heightVSAvoidwater storage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The heater is inserted into a recessed heater disposition part formed in the lower surface of the water container. This nesting arrangement allows the heater to be positioned within the water container's structure rather than beside it, maximizing space utilization. The water container maintains sufficient volume for water storage while the overall cleaning module height is kept low through this nested configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 allows for efficient steam generation, prevents overheating of electronic devices, maintains a low profile for cleaning, and maximizes water storage capacity while ensuring safe operation by directing heat and water droplets away from critical components.

Implementation Method 1

a heater disposed on an inside of the cleaning module housing and configured to generate steam from water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change (liquid to gas): Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

a water container disposed above the heater and configured to supply the water to the heater

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS20240407622A1cleaner

Publication Date: 2024.12.12 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

Disclosed is a cleaner, including a main body having an operating part configured to receive a command and a main battery configured to supply power; and a cleaning module connected to the main body and configured to generate steam to clean a cleaning region, and the cleaning module may include: a cleaning module housing connected to the main body, forming an external appearance, and forming a space on an inside thereof; a heater disposed on an inside of the cleaning module housing and configured to generate steam from water; a water container disposed above the heater and configured to supply the water to the heater; and a heater disposition part recessed upward from a lower surface of the water container and allowing at least a part of the heater to be inserted thereinto. The present disclosure relates to a cleaner capable of preventing burns to a user even if the user comes into contact with the cleaning module since heat dissipated from the heater is shielded by the water container, and lowering a height of the cleaning module thanks to a special structure of the water container.