Cleaning device having vacuum cleaner and docking station and method of controlling the same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum cleaners face issues with dust dispersion when emptying dust collectors, leading to increased dust concentrations in the environment due to the scattering of collected debris.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning device with a docking station that utilizes an irregular suction airflow to automatically discharge dust from the vacuum cleaner's dust collecting container, featuring a suction device, collector, flow path, and processor-controlled operations to manage airflow and prevent dust dispersion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If user manually removes foreign substance from dust collecting container, then dust collecting container can be emptied, but foreign substance scatters and dust concentration in room increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust collection efficiencyVSAvoiddust dispersion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical emptying with an automated suction system. The docking station uses a suction device with controlled airflow to automatically extract foreign substances from the dust collecting container, eliminating the need for user intervention and preventing dust scattering that occurs during manual emptying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a docking station as an intermediary between the vacuum cleaner and the environment. This intermediary device receives the dust collecting container and performs automated emptying through controlled suction, acting as a buffer that prevents direct exposure and scattering of foreign substances into the surrounding environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If suction device operates continuously to discharge dust, then dust removal efficiency increases, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust discharge speedVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic operation of the suction device through a flow adjusting device that rhythmically opens and closes the suction flow path. This periodic action creates irregular suction airflow that maintains dust discharge effectiveness while reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation, as the suction device operates in cycles rather than continuously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If flow adjusting device opens and closes suction flow path frequently, then dust discharge efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust discharge efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow adjusting device implements a simple periodic control mechanism that rhythmically opens and closes the suction flow path. This periodic action generates irregular airflow patterns that enhance dust discharge efficiency by preventing dust settlement and maintaining suction effectiveness, while the rhythmic nature of the control simplifies the overall system architecture compared to complex continuous control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 prevents dust dispersion by controlling airflow patterns within the docking station, ensuring efficient and clean disposal of collected dust without scattering it into the environment.

Implementation Method 1

a suction device configured to move air from the dust collecting container to an inside of the docking station

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS11497365B2Cleaning device having vacuum cleaner and docking station and method of controlling the same

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A cleaning device and a method therefor are provided. The cleaning device includes a vacuum cleaner including a dust collecting container and a docking station to which the dust collecting container is coupled. The docking station includes a suction device configured to move air from the dust collecting container to inside of the docking station, a collector configured to collect a foreign substance that is moved together with the air by driving of the suction device, a suction flow path along which air moves inside the docking station, a flow adjusting device configured to open or close the suction flow path, and at least one processor configured to control the suction device to operate based on the dust collecting container being coupled to the docking station, and control the flow adjusting device to periodically open and close the suction flow path in a state in which the suction device operates.