Cleaning device comprising vacuum cleaner and docking station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum cleaners require manual emptying of dust collected in the dust collecting chamber, which is cumbersome and inefficient, and existing docking stations do not automatically discharge dust while charging the vacuum cleaner's battery.
Innovation Solution
A docking station that connects to the vacuum cleaner and includes a charging part, a docking part for the dust collecting chamber, and a suction device to automatically remove dust while charging the vacuum cleaner's battery, with the dust collecting chamber inserted in a direction perpendicular to the docking station's axis, allowing simultaneous charging and dust discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual emptying of dust collecting chamber is required, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates and loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station automatically discharges dust from the vacuum cleaner's dust collecting chamber without user intervention. The system uses a suction device that activates when the vacuum cleaner is docked, automatically extracting dust through the docking opening while the battery charges, eliminating the need for manual emptying operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the battery charging function and dust discharge function into a single docking operation. When the vacuum cleaner is placed in the docking station, both the battery charging part and the dust discharge suction device are activated simultaneously, merging two separate maintenance operations into one automated process
2Ease of operation
If automatic dust discharge is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station automatically discharges dust from the vacuum cleaner's dust collecting chamber without user intervention. The system uses a suction device that activates when the vacuum cleaner is docked, automatically extracting dust through the docking opening while the battery charges, eliminating the need for manual emptying operations
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station is designed to perform multiple functions: battery charging and automatic dust discharge. The docking opening serves both as a connection interface for charging and as a pathway for dust extraction, making the system multi-functional without requiring separate dedicated structures for each function
3Ease of operation
If dust collecting chamber is inserted perpendicular to docking station axis, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dust collecting chamber is inserted into the docking station perpendicular to the docking station's longitudinal axis, rather than parallel to it. This orthogonal arrangement allows the suction device to effectively access the dust collecting chamber from the side, facilitating automatic dust discharge while maintaining a compact docking station structure
4Productivity
If simultaneous charging and dust discharge are implemented, then productivity improves, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs both battery charging and dust discharge continuously and simultaneously during the docking period. The suction device operates concurrently with the charging process, ensuring that dust is discharged throughout the entire charging cycle rather than requiring separate time slots for each function
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
Enables automatic discharge of dust collected in the vacuum cleaner's dust collecting chamber during battery charging, enhancing user convenience and efficiency by eliminating the need for manual emptying.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device configured to suction the foreign substances and internal air in the dust collecting chamber docked onto the docking part
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum cleaner including a battery configured to generate a suction force
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a cleaning apparatus including: a vacuum cleaner including a battery configured to generate a suction force and a dust collecting chamber in which foreign substances suctioned by the suction force are collected; and a docking station connected to the vacuum cleaner and having a long axis extending in a first direction, wherein the docking station includes: a charging part provided to come in contact with the battery to charge the battery; a docking part connected to the dust collecting chamber to remove the foreign substances collected in the dust collecting chamber; and a suction device configured to suction the foreign substances and internal air in the dust collecting chamber docked onto the docking part, wherein the docking part includes a docking opening that is opened in a second direction different from the first direction such that at least a portion of the dust collecting chamber is inserted into the docking opening.