Vacuum Cleaner Airflow Guide for Filter Access and Low Flow Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handheld vacuum cleaners have complex structures with numerous parts, making it difficult to access and clean filters, which leads to reduced suction efficiency due to dust accumulation and increased airflow resistance.

Innovation Solution

A cleaner design featuring a single flow guide that forms both suction and exhaust passages for the suction motor, simplifying the structure, reducing the number of parts, and allowing for easy separation and cleaning of filters, while maintaining a compact and efficient air passage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If separate structures are provided for guiding air from cyclone to motor and from motor to post motor filter, then air flow guidance is achieved, but the number of parts increases and structure becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidair flow guidance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple air flow guidance functions into a single integrated flow guide structure. This flow guide simultaneously directs air from the cyclone chamber to the airflow generator and from the airflow generator to the post-motor filter, eliminating the need for separate guiding structures and reducing overall part count while maintaining proper air flow paths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flow guide is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple air routing tasks within a single structure. It serves as both the inlet guide for the airflow generator and the outlet guide to the post-motor filter, making one component perform the work of what would traditionally require multiple separate parts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If pre motor filter is surrounded by housing and disposed between airflow generator and cyclone, then filter protection is achieved, but filter accessibility for cleaning becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter accessibilityVSAvoidsuction ability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the housing into separable sections that allow easy access to the pre-motor filter. The filter is positioned in a location that can be accessed by opening or removing a specific housing section, enabling users to clean the filter without disassembling the entire device, thus maintaining both protection and accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If compact design is achieved with sufficient air passage width, then space efficiency improves, but structure complexity may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaner sizeVSAvoidair passage design
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs three-dimensional air passage routing that efficiently utilizes available space within the compact housing. By designing air passages that extend in multiple dimensions rather than simple linear paths, the invention achieves adequate air passage width within a reduced overall volume without requiring excessive structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This design enhances suction force, extends battery life, and simplifies maintenance by reducing airflow loss and allowing for easy filter access, resulting in improved cleaning performance and user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a suction motor for generating suction power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a dust-separating unit for separating dust from air which has been sucked in by the suction power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentEP4183302B1Cleaning apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4183302B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4183302B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4183302B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The cleaning apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a suction inlet; a suction motor for generating suction power; a dust-separating unit for separating dust from air which has been sucked in by the suction power; a motor housing which surrounds the suction motor; a flow guide which surrounds an outer side of the motor housing and guides, to the suction motor, air which has been discharged from the dust-separating unit; and a body which surrounds the flow guide and, together with the flow guide, guides air which has been discharged from the suction motor.