Vacuum Cleaner Motor Valve Structure for Blockage Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum cleaner motors are prone to overheating and damage due to insufficient air cooling when the dust suction port is blocked or the dust collector becomes full, leading to unstable motor operation and potential noise issues.

Innovation Solution

A motor protection apparatus that draws air from outside the motor chamber into the chamber when the internal pressure drops below a predetermined level, using a valve mechanism with a resilient body to maintain pressure and prevent premature closure of the air intake path, optimizing the size and shape of the valve and penetration hole to ensure efficient cooling and reduce noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the dust suction port is blocked or dust collector becomes full, then air flow to motor is reduced, but motor cooling efficiency deteriorates leading to overheating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor operation stabilityVSAvoidmotor temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure difference valve is pre-configured to automatically open when pressure difference exceeds a threshold, providing preliminary protective action before motor damage occurs. The valve mechanism is designed in advance to respond to pressure changes, ensuring cooling air supply is restored promptly when blockage is detected through pressure differential.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses pressure difference as a feedback signal to control the valve opening. When the pressure difference between dust collecting chamber and motor chamber exceeds the threshold (indicating blockage), the valve automatically opens to restore proper air flow and cooling, creating a closed-loop protective mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a valve mechanism is used to control air intake, then pressure control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure controlVSAvoidvalve mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure difference valve is designed to operate automatically based on pressure differential without external control systems. The valve uses the pressure difference itself as the actuating force, eliminating the need for sensors, controllers, or external power sources, thereby maintaining simple device structure while achieving reliable pressure control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The valve mechanism utilizes pneumatic principles where pressure difference directly actuates the valve opening and closing. This pneumatic actuation method simplifies the control system by using the process fluid's own pressure to control the flow, avoiding complex mechanical or electronic control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If air intake path closes prematurely, then pressure maintenance is improved, but cooling efficiency deteriorates due to insufficient air flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure maintenanceVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve is designed to respond to changes in pressure difference parameter. When pressure difference exceeds the threshold value, the valve opens to restore cooling air flow. The threshold is carefully selected to allow normal operation pressure variations while triggering cooling restoration only when actually needed, balancing pressure maintenance with cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The apparatus effectively protects the motor from overheating by maintaining adequate air pressure and cooling efficiency, reducing noise by minimizing frequent opening and closing of the air intake path, and ensuring continuous operation even during temporary pressure drops.

Implementation Method 1

a valve member (350) opening and closing a penetration hole (313)... when the air pressure inside the motor chamber is less than a predetermined level... air outside the motor chamber may be drawn into the motor chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a resilient body (S) biasing the valve member (350) in a direction for closing the penetration hole (313)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP1731075B1Apparatus for protecting a motor of a vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2012.08.15 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP1731075B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1731075B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP1731075B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A motor protection apparatus for a vacuum cleaner includes: a motor chamber adapted to mount a motor; a penetration hole formed on a partition surrounding the motor chamber; a valve member configured to move between a first position closing the penetration hole and a second position at a distance from the penetration hole; and a casing adapted to be connected to an inner wall of the partition to surround the valve member and to guide movement of the valve member. A casing distance between an inner circumference of the casing and the valve member is minimized when the valve member is in the first position and maximized when the valve member is in the second position.