Vacuum Cleaner Distance Sensor for Wall-Edge Suction Force Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaners struggle with ineffective cleaning at wall corners due to non-concentrated suction force and potential water absorption and bacterial proliferation in rotating cleaning units, especially when the suction nozzle touches a wall surface.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum cleaner design featuring a rotating cleaner with a concave groove flow path and fluffy layer, equipped with a distance sensor to increase suction force and prevent water absorption and bacterial growth, ensuring seamless suction force delivery to wall edges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rotating cleaner with fabric or felt material is used, then cleaning capability is improved, but water absorption causes deformation and deterioration of cleaning capability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning capabilityVSAvoidwater absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the rotating cleaner from water-absorbing fabric/felt to water-repellent synthetic material. This parameter change fundamentally alters the interaction with water, preventing absorption and deformation while maintaining cleaning capability through the synthetic material's inherent properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structure by combining synthetic fibers with water-repellent coating or treatment. This composite approach creates a surface that resists water absorption while maintaining the structural integrity and cleaning function of the rotating cleaner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the suction nozzle touches a wall surface, then cleaning at wall corners is improved, but suction force is not concentrated and cleaning efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectiveness at wall cornersVSAvoidcleaning efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a concentrated suction force specifically at the front space of the rotating cleaner where it contacts the wall. The flow path design directs air flow and suction force to this specific location, ensuring effective cleaning at wall corners without requiring the entire suction nozzle to be in contact with the wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the rotational motion of the cylindrical rotating cleaner to create a sweeping action that effectively covers the curved or angled surfaces at wall corners. The rotation ensures continuous contact and concentrated suction force application along the wall edge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If the rotating cleaner is made of fabric or felt material, then cleaning capability is improved, but bristles deform when wet and cannot restore original shape

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning capabilityVSAvoidshape stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the material parameter from natural fibers (fabric/felt) to synthetic materials that inherently resist water absorption. This parameter change ensures the structural stability and shape retention of the rotating cleaner even when exposed to moisture during cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs synthetic materials that, while potentially less durable in terms of lifespan, maintain their functional properties (shape and cleaning capability) throughout their service life by resisting water-induced deformation. The materials are designed to be replaceable if needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Ease of manufacture

If a brush is formed only on part of the outer peripheral surface of the agitator, then manufacturing is simplified, but suction force is not concentrated and cleaning time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcleaning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating the cleaning function at the front space of the rotating cleaner where it contacts the wall surface. The flow path design ensures suction force is directed to this specific location, achieving effective cleaning in minimal time without requiring brushes on the entire peripheral surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential cleaning function to the front space of the rotating cleaner, removing the need for extensive brush coverage. By focusing the suction force and cleaning action at this specific location, the design achieves efficient cleaning without the complexity of full-peripheral brush installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Effectively removes dust from wall corners with concentrated suction force, minimizes energy consumption, and prevents water absorption and bacterial growth in the rotating cleaner.

Implementation Method 1

A motor 31 is provided in the cleaner body 30, and the motor 31 rotates to generate a suction force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

external dust can be sucked into the vacuum cleaner through the suction nozzle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP4205616B1Vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4205616B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4205616B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4205616B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner comprises: a suction nozzle including a rotating cleaner located in front of a suction port; a cleaning main body provided with a first motor that generates a suction force; and a distance sensor coupled to the suction nozzle. The distance sensor detects a distance from a wall surface located in front of the suction nozzle, and when the distance (distance value) is less than or equal to a reference value, the rotation speed of the first motor is increased. Accordingly, when the suction nozzle touches the wall surface and cannot move forward, the suction force is momentarily increased such that foreign substances such as dust can be effectively sucked in from the edge of the wall surface, and effective use of a battery can be achieved.