Cleaning Base Station Air Conditioning for Indoor Air Quality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cleaning devices, such as vacuum cleaners, often deteriorate indoor air quality due to dust and heat generation during operation, and existing base stations lack effective air quality management and maintenance solutions.

Innovation Solution

A base station equipped with an integrated air conditioning device and measuring sensors to condition and improve indoor air quality by cleaning, humidifying, dehumidifying, heating, or cooling the air, and a method for operating a cleaning system that involves air conditioning before, during, and after cleaning or maintenance processes to mitigate the negative impact on air quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If cleaning devices operate to clean surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but indoor air quality deteriorates due to dust and heat generation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidindoor air quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base station captures the harmful dust and heat generated by cleaning devices and converts them into beneficial outcomes: dust is filtered and removed from the air, and heat is dissipated through active cooling. This transforms the negative byproducts of cleaning into a controlled environment maintenance system that improves overall air quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The base station acts as an intermediary between the cleaning device and the indoor environment. It receives contaminated air from the cleaning device, processes it through filtration and cooling systems, and releases cleaned air back into the environment, thereby mediating the harmful effects of cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If base station provides maintenance functions for cleaning devices, then device maintenance is improved, but air quality management capability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice maintenanceVSAvoidair quality management capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The base station is designed with multi-functionality, combining device maintenance capabilities (charging, dust collection) with air quality management functions (filtration, humidification, cooling). This universal design allows a single device to serve multiple purposes: maintaining the cleaning device while simultaneously managing the indoor air quality environment.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges previously separate functions into a unified base station system. The maintenance functions (power supply, dust storage) are combined with air treatment functions (HEPA filtration, humidification, active cooling) into a single integrated device that performs both device care and environmental control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If base station integrates air conditioning unit and measuring device, then air quality control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair quality controlVSAvoidbase station structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station employs a nested structure where the air conditioning unit is integrated within the housing, and the measuring device is embedded within the control system. The HEPA filter, humidifier, and cooling elements are arranged in nested configurations that maximize space utilization while maintaining functional independence of each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 base station effectively maintains a pleasant indoor climate by improving air quality and compensating for the negative effects of cleaning device operation, ensuring cleaner and healthier air through automated air conditioning adjustments based on real-time measurements.

Implementation Method 1

a first air conditioning device (60) integrated into the base station (10) for cleaning the room air (RL), in particular by means of a HEPA filter (60P)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a second air conditioning device (60G) integrated into the base station (10) for humidifying the room air (RL)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

a third air conditioning device (60F) integrated into the base station (10) for dehumidifying the room air (RL)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 4

a fourth air conditioning device (60H) integrated into the base station (10) for heating the room air (RL)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 5

a fifth air conditioning device (60E) integrated into the base station (10) for cooling the room air (RL)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP3763272B1Base station for connecting a cleaning device and method for operating a cleaning system
Publication Date: 2023.05.24 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH
  • EP3763272B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3763272B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3763272B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A base station for connecting a cleaning device and a method for operating a cleaning system with a cleaning device and such a base station are proposed, wherein the room air is conditioned by means of the base station and/or the quality of the room air is measured by means of the base station.