Bottom base, clothes treatment device, and cleaning system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robot vacuum cleaners require manual refilling of water supplement tanks, which is inconvenient and occupies space, and existing laundry treatment devices do not efficiently integrate with robot vacuum cleaners for automated cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A base with a pedestal and water inlet assembly that supplies tap water directly to the robot vacuum cleaner's cleaning member and liquid container, eliminating the need for manual refilling and reducing device size by integrating with the laundry treatment machine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual refilling of water supplement tank is used, then device structure is simple, but user convenience deteriorates and space is occupied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic water refilling where the robot vacuum cleaner autonomously returns to the base station and receives water through automated detection and dispensing mechanisms, eliminating manual user intervention while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through integrated sensors and control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The base station pre-stores water in an internal tank and prepares dispensing mechanisms in advance, allowing the robot to automatically refill without user intervention by simply docking at the base, thus improving convenience without requiring complex external water delivery systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Extent of automation

If water supplement tank is integrated in base, then automation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation levelVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the water storage tank, water dispensing mechanism, and robot charging/docking functions into a single integrated base station structure, achieving automation while avoiding the need for separate independent systems that would increase overall complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base station is designed to perform multiple functions including water refilling, charging, and cleaning operations through a unified structure, thereby achieving high automation without proportionally increasing device complexity as each function shares common infrastructure

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

3Reliability

If separate water storage is used, then water supply reliability is improved, but space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater supply reliabilityVSAvoidspace requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The water storage tank is integrated within the base station structure, nesting the water supply system inside the existing base footprint rather than requiring separate external water storage, thereby maintaining reliable water supply while minimizing additional space requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The water tank utilizes vertical space within the base station rather than only horizontal footprint, arranging the water storage vertically to provide sufficient water capacity while keeping the device's horizontal space occupation minimal

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

Data Source

PatentEP4365364B1Bottom base, clothes treatment device, and cleaning system
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 WUXI LITTLE SWAN ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP4365364B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4365364B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4365364B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to the laundry treatment technology field, and provides a base, a laundry treatment device and a cleaning system. The base comprises a pedestal and a water inlet assembly. The pedestal comprises a washing portion and a robot vacuum cleaner chamber. The washing portion is configured to wash a cleaning member of a robot vacuum cleaner. The water inlet assembly comprises a primary water inlet path, and further comprises a first water inlet branch in fluid communication with the primary water inlet path and/or a second water inlet branch in fluid communication with the primary water inlet path. The primary water inlet path is configured to be fluidly connected to a tap water path. The first water inlet branch is in fluid communication with the washing portion. The second water inlet branch is configured to be fluidly connected to a liquid container of the robot vacuum cleaner. At least one of the washing portion and the liquid container is supplied with tap water by the primary water inlet path.