Vacuum Cleaner Station Heat Circulation Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional handheld and stick-type vacuum cleaners have small dust bins that require frequent emptying, leading to dust dispersal and health risks, reduced suction force, and odor issues, with existing sterilization methods failing to effectively sterilize deep within collected foreign substances.
Innovation Solution
A cleaner station that includes a dust collection unit with a heat circulation module to heat and circulate air within the dust collection unit to 55-65°C, sterilizing insects and microorganisms using high-temperature air, and a deodorizing filter to maintain a clean and sanitary condition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a small capacity dust bin is used to maximize portability and reduce size, then the cleaner becomes more portable and compact, but the dust bin requires frequent emptying which causes dust to fly and harms user health
Solution Approach 1:
The dust collection unit automatically collects dust from the dust bin through a dust collection motor and suction flow path, eliminating the need for manual emptying operations that cause dust dispersal. The system serves itself by continuously or periodically removing dust without user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
A sterilization module emits sterilizing light (UV radiation) onto the dust surface to sterilize insects and microorganisms. The strong oxidizing effect of UV radiation kills pathogens and prevents dust-related health hazards.
2Loss of substance
If the dust bin is emptied manually, then dust is removed from the cleaner, but dust flies during emptying and has a harmful effect on user health
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically removes dust through the dust collection motor and suction flow path connected to the dust bin, eliminating manual emptying operations that cause dust to fly into the air and harm user health.
3Quantity of substance
If remaining dust is not removed from the dust bin, then the dust bin capacity is maintained, but suction force is lowered and odors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The dust collection motor continuously or periodically operates to remove dust from the dust bin, maintaining consistent suction force and preventing odor accumulation. This continuous action ensures the dust bin capacity is effectively maintained without performance degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors dust accumulation in the dust bin and activates the dust collection function when dust reaches a certain level, maintaining optimal suction performance and preventing odor generation through feedback-based control.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional sterilization methods are used, then surface sterilization is achieved, but central and lower portions of foreign substances remain unsterilized
Solution Approach 1:
A heat circulation module heats air and circulates it within the dust collection unit to raise the temperature of foreign substances throughout, including central and lower portions that are inaccessible to surface-only sterilization methods. This thermal dimension complements the UV light sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
Heated air acts as an intermediary medium that penetrates deep into foreign substances to sterilize microorganisms and insects in central and lower portions, supplementing the direct UV light sterilization that only reaches surfaces.
5Reliability
If high temperature is used to sterilize deep within foreign substances, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but risk of ignition of oils and greases increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat circulation module maintains temperature within a controlled range (55-65°C) that is sufficient to sterilize microorganisms and insects in foreign substances while remaining below the ignition point of oils and greases, thus eliminating both under-sterilization and ignition risks through precise parameter control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors temperature within the dust collection unit and adjusts heating power to maintain temperatures that ensure sterilization effectiveness while preventing ignition of flammable materials through feedback-based temperature regulation.
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 sterilizes insects and microorganisms within the dust collection unit, maintains a safe temperature range to prevent ignition of oils and greases, and reduces the need for frequent manual cleaning of the dust bin.
Implementation Method 1
a heat circulation module that heats air suctioned from an internal space of the dust collection unit and supplies the heated air to the internal space
Implementation Method 2
a circulation fan which is disposed on the circulation flow path unit and blows air from the suction port toward the discharge port
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a cleaner station and includes a housing, a coupling unit disposed in the housing and including a coupling surface to which at least a portion of a cleaner is coupled, a dust collection unit which is disposed in the housing and collects dust of a dust bin of the cleaner, a suction flow path unit connecting a dust through hole formed in the coupling surface to the dust collection unit, a dust collection motor which is accommodated inside the housing and generates a suction force of suctioning the dust inside the dust bin, and a heat circulation module that heats air suctioned from an internal space of the dust collection unit and supplies the heated air to the internal space, thereby maintaining a temperature of the dust collection unit within a predetermined range to maintain a clean and sanitary condition.