Vacuum cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum cleaners face challenges in achieving a compact size while maintaining suction performance and reducing noise, as the small distance between the impeller and diffuser leads to increased pressure loss and noise generation, and enlarging these components contradicts market trends for compact products.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a suction unit with an impeller and a diffuser where the diffuser features a plurality of vanes and guides that extend radially and are inclined, forming a longer air path without increasing the diameter, enhancing suction performance and reducing noise by ensuring sufficient air flow length and path resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the distance between the impeller and diffuser is reduced, then the suction force is improved, but noise is generated due to pressure perturbation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction forceVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A plurality of vanes are disposed between the impeller and diffuser to act as an intermediary element. These vanes guide the air flow from the impeller into the diffuser, reducing pressure perturbation and noise while maintaining effective air flow path length for suction performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The air flow path is extended in the radial direction by disposing vanes that protrude toward the outer casing. This allows the air flow length to be increased without increasing the axial distance between impeller and diffuser, maintaining suction force while reducing noise

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

2Power

If the size of the impeller and motor is increased, then the suction force is improved, but the size of the vacuum cleaner is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction forceVSAvoidsize of vacuum cleaner
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air flow path length is extended by utilizing the radial dimension through vanes that protrude toward the outer casing. This allows sufficient air flow length for strong suction force without increasing the axial length or overall size of the vacuum cleaner

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

Solution Approach 2:

The vanes are disposed within the existing space between the impeller and diffuser, utilizing the available radial and axial space efficiently. This nested arrangement extends the air flow path without requiring additional external space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Power

If the air flow path length is extended, then the suction force is improved, but the device size is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction forceVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The air flow path is extended primarily in the radial direction through vanes that protrude toward the outer casing, rather than extending the axial length. This allows longer air flow path for better suction force without increasing the overall device size

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 performance, maintains a compact size, and reduces noise by optimizing the air flow path and resistance within the vacuum cleaner.

Implementation Method 1

an impeller disposed to suck air by rotating about an axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a pressure loss of the air is increased

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure loss: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 3

noise may be generated due to pressure perturbation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure perturbation:

Data Source

PatentEP3179895B1Vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3179895B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3179895B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3179895B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vacuum cleaner having an improved structure capable of enhancing suction performance includes a suction unit provided in a main body, the suction unit including an impeller disposed to suck air by rotating about an axis thereof, and a diffuser disposed to guide air discharged from the impeller. The diffuser includes an inner casing, an outer casing disposed to be spaced apart from an outer circumference of the inner casing and to form a path through which the air discharged from the impeller flows, and a plurality of vanes disposed at the inner casing to guide the air discharged from the impeller to the path, and the plurality of vanes protrude toward the outer casing to cross at least a part of the path.