Vacuum Cleaner Clutch Unit for Automatic Following and Manual Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum cleaners face difficulty in smooth movement when stopped, as the driving part's resistance hinders wheel rotation, making it hard for users to manually move the device regardless of direction.
Innovation Solution
A clutch unit with a sun gear, ring gear, and planetary gears connects and disconnects the motor power to the wheel based on operational states, allowing motor power transmission without continuous control, enabling easy manual movement by releasing motor power during operation cessation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the driving part is directly connected to the wheel, then the motor can effectively drive the wheel during operation, but the wheel cannot rotate smoothly when the vacuum cleaner is stopped due to resistance from the driving part
Solution Approach 1:
A clutch unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the motor and the wheel. This clutch unit includes a sun gear connected to the motor, a ring gear connected to the wheel, and planetary gears that can selectively engage or disengage the connection. When the vacuum cleaner is stopped, the clutch unit disconnects the motor from the wheel, eliminating resistance and allowing smooth manual rotation. During operation, the clutch unit engages to transmit motor power effectively to the wheel.
2Ease of operation
If the clutch unit is continuously controlled to disconnect motor power, then manual movement is easy, but the vacuum cleaner cannot automatically follow user movement during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch unit is designed with dynamic engagement characteristics. During operation, the clutch unit automatically engages based on operational conditions, allowing the motor to drive the wheel and enable the vacuum cleaner to automatically follow user movement. When the vacuum cleaner is stopped, the clutch unit automatically disconnects, reducing resistance and facilitating easy manual movement. This dynamic behavior eliminates the need for continuous control input.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch unit operates autonomously based on the operational state of the vacuum cleaner. When the motor is running and the vacuum cleaner is in operation, the clutch unit self-engages to transmit power. When the motor stops and the vacuum cleaner is idle, the clutch unit self-disengages to reduce resistance. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for continuous user control or complex control systems.
3Power
If the motor and wheel remain connected during stopping, then power transmission is maintained, but the user experiences difficulty in moving the vacuum cleaner in any direction
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch unit serves as a mechanical intermediary that can selectively connect or disconnect the motor and wheel. When the vacuum cleaner is stopped, the clutch unit disconnects the power transmission path, eliminating the resistance force that would otherwise hinder wheel rotation. This allows the user to easily move the vacuum cleaner in any direction without fighting motor resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The power transmission system is segmented into separable components through the clutch unit. The connection between the motor and wheel is divided into engageable and disengageable states. During operation, the segments are connected for power transmission. During stopping, the segments are separated to eliminate resistance, enabling free manual movement.
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 solution allows the vacuum cleaner to follow user movement without direct manual pushing and facilitates easy manual movement in any direction when stopped, enhancing user convenience and eliminating the need for complex control configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a moving planetary gear which may transmit a rotational force transmitted to the sun gear to one gear of the plurality of fixed planetary gears
Implementation Method 2
The clutch unit may include a sun gear connected to the motor, a ring gear connected to the wheel, a plurality of fixed planetary gears disposed to be spaced apart each other between the sun gear and the ring gear
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body; a suction unit connected with the cleaner body, sucking dust and air, guiding the sucked dust and air to the cleaner body, and having a handle; a moving unit including a wheel and a motor for driving the wheel to automatically move the cleaner body; and a clutch unit connecting the motor and the wheel or releasing the connection of the motor and the wheel according to an operational state of the cleaner body. The clutch unit includes a sun gear connected with the motor, a ring gear connected with the wheel, a plurality of fixed planetary gears disposed to be spaced apart each other between the sun gear and the ring gear, and a moving planetary gear which may transmit a rotational force transmitted to the sun gear to one gear of the plurality of fixed planetary gears.