cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaners face difficulties in easily separating and cleaning the dust container from the main body, particularly due to the small space between the dust collector and cover, which makes it hard to maintain and clean the filter member.

Innovation Solution

A cleaner design featuring a separable dust container with a handle unit and an operating member that allows for easy opening and separation of the dust container from the main body using a single operating member, incorporating a locking mechanism and elastic members for convenient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the dust container is integrated with the main body, then the structure is stable and compact, but the filter member becomes difficult to clean due to small space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleanability of filter memberVSAvoidseparability of dust container
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dust container is divided into separable parts: the container body and the cover with filter member. The cover can be detached from the container body, providing access to the filter member for cleaning. This segmentation allows the filter to be easily maintained without disassembling the entire vacuum cleaner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover containing the filter member is extracted as a separate removable component from the dust container. This extraction enables direct access to the filter for cleaning and maintenance, solving the problem of difficult-to-reach filters in integrated designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of repair

If the dust container is made separable, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but the operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of filter memberVSAvoidmechanism for separation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism integrates multiple functions: it secures the cover to the container body during operation and allows easy release for maintenance. The single operating member combines the actions of unlocking and opening, simplifying the user interaction despite the separable design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The operating member serves multiple purposes: it acts as a handle for carrying, a button for unlocking the cover, and a lever for opening the dust container. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed for the separable mechanism.

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

3Ease of operation

If a single operating member is used, then user convenience is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of operationVSAvoidlocking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism uses elastic members that automatically engage the locking ribs with the container body when the cover is closed. The system self-locks without requiring additional fastening actions from the user, maintaining simplicity while ensuring secure closure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables easy cleaning of the filter member and simplifies the process of opening and separating the dust container, improving user convenience and maintenance accessibility.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member that provides elasticity to the movable member to keep the locking rib locked to the snap

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a first elastic member for moving the operating member in the second direction to move the operating member to a neutral position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

a second elastic member for moving the operating member in the first direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4218517B1cleaner
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4218517B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4218517B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4218517B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cleaner includes: a main body that forms an external shape; a dust container that is separably combined with the main body and stores dust separated from air; a dust container cover that is configured to open and close the dust container; a handle unit that is disposed behind the dust container; and an operating member that is configured to provide operation force to the dust container cover by moving in a first direction and to release a holding mechanism for preventing separation of the dust container from the main body by moving in a second direction opposite to the first direction.