Combi-suction system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Combined suction systems face inadequate suction power when the hand-held unit is used with the base unit, limiting their effectiveness in cleaning floors, and existing solutions like rotating brush rollers only provide benefits on specific floor types.

Innovation Solution

The base unit is equipped with an additional suction fan and energy store, with the suction fans arranged in series to enhance suction power, and power can be adjusted via PWM control, allowing for variable suction power and energy management through electrical connection and control units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the hand-held unit is used with the base unit, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but the suction power is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning coverageVSAvoidsuction power
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the suction functions of the hand-held unit and base unit by arranging both suction fans in series within the same air flow path. The suction fan of the hand-held unit (11) and the further suction fan of the base unit (21) work together to generate additive negative pressure, significantly increasing the overall suction power when the hand-held unit is placed in the base unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous operation with enhanced suction power by arranging the two suction fans in series, allowing the system to maintain high suction power throughout the cleaning process without interruption or loss of effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Reliability

If a rotating brush roller is added to the floor nozzle, then the cleaning effect on certain floors is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the brush roller rotatable rather than fixed, allowing it to adapt to different floor surfaces. The rotatable brush roller can rotate in response to the movement and pressure applied during cleaning, providing enhanced cleaning effect on certain floors while maintaining simplicity through passive mechanical motion rather than active control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If PWM control is implemented for suction fans, then energy efficiency is improved, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements PWM control to vary the power output of the suction fans by changing the duty cycle of the electrical signal. This allows the suction power to be adjusted according to actual cleaning needs, improving energy efficiency by avoiding continuous full-power operation while using a relatively simple electronic control mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This configuration significantly increases the suction power of the hand-held unit when used with the base unit, providing improved cleaning performance on various surfaces while allowing for energy efficiency and flexible power settings.

Implementation Method 1

Due to the suction fans of the two units arranged one behind the other in the suction air flow, the achievable negative pressure is added, which results in a higher speed of the suction air flow in the area of the floor nozzle, which leads to improved suction power.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure addition: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

A variable power, for example adjustable via a pulse width modulation control (PWM control) of motors of the suction fans, can be used to set a suction power that is tailored to the needs.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulse width modulation:

Implementation Method 3

Via the electrical connection, the suction fan of the hand-held unit can be supplied with power from the additional energy store in the base unit, for example, if the energy store in the hand-held unit is no longer sufficiently charged or its charge is to be saved for separate operation.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy transfer: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2982283B1Combi-suction system
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP2982283B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a combination suction system, having a hand-held unit (10) with a suction fan (11), an energy store (12) and a dust filter (16), and a floor unit (20) with a floor nozzle (24), the floor unit (20) has a receiving shaft (27) into which the hand-held unit (10) can be inserted. The combination suction system is characterized in that the base unit (20) has a further suction fan (21) and a further energy store (22), with the hand unit (10) being used, the suction fan (11) and the further suction fan (21) being in a row in one Suction air flow are arranged.