Cleaning Device Battery Charging for Reduced Capacity Loss

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning devices, such as vacuum robots, often face capacity loss and reduced service life due to inefficient charging methods, where batteries are either fully recharged after each cycle or manually recharged, leading to stress on the battery and accelerated aging.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for charging the energy storage device in cleaning devices, such as vacuum robots, that reads the energy required for a predetermined cleaning cycle and outputs a charging signal to charge the battery only up to a stress-free state of approximately 30% capacity, optimizing the voltage range and minimizing full charge cycles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the energy storage device is fully recharged after each cleaning cycle, then the cleaning device is ready for the next cycle, but the battery experiences stress and accelerated aging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereadiness for next cleaning cycleVSAvoidbattery service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by charging the battery only to a predetermined state of charge (e.g., 30% or 50% capacity) rather than fully recharging it. This partial charging approach reduces battery stress and extends service life while still providing sufficient energy for the next cleaning cycle, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If the battery is charged only to the energy required for the cleaning cycle, then capacity loss is reduced and service life is extended, but the charging control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage device service lifeVSAvoidcharging control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the charging parameter from fixed full charge to a variable predetermined state of charge based on energy requirements. The control unit calculates the necessary energy for upcoming cleaning cycles and adjusts the charging level accordingly, extending service life through parameter optimization while managing complexity through automated calculation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the charging is automated based on cleaning plans, then user convenience is improved, but the energy management system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidenergy management system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by automatically monitoring the battery state, calculating energy requirements based on stored cleaning plans, and initiating charging operations without user intervention. The control unit autonomously manages the charging process, improving ease of operation while the integrated design keeps the energy management system complexity manageable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3469972B1Method and device for charging an energy storage device for use in a cleaning implement and cleaning implement with a device
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP3469972B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3469972B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3469972B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The approach presented here relates to a method for charging an energy storage device (110) for use in a cleaning device (100). The method comprises a reading step and an output step. In the reading step, an energy demand signal (120) is read in, representing the energy required by the cleaning device (100) for one cleaning cycle. In the output step, a charging signal (125) is output, which causes the energy storage device (110) to be charged depending on the required energy.