Docking Station Airflow Pulsing for Cleaner Vacuum Dust Emptying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum cleaners face the issue of dust being scattered when emptying the dust collecting container, leading to increased dust concentration in the environment.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a docking station that automatically discharges dust from the vacuum cleaner's dust collecting container by varying the suction airflow when the container is docked, using a suction device and flow path valve to efficiently remove dust without requiring the entire vacuum cleaner to be docked.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user manually removes foreign substance from the dust collecting container, then the collected foreign substance can be discharged, but the foreign substance may be scattered which increases dust concentration in the room
Solution Approach 1:
The dust collecting container automatically discharges foreign substances itself when docked at the docking station, eliminating the need for manual user intervention. The container uses its own suction motor to generate suction airflow that moves foreign substances from the container through the flow path to the discharge port, achieving self-service dust discharge without user contact that would cause scattering.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station serves as an intermediary between the dust collecting container and the environment. It provides a controlled interface with a discharge port and cover that contains the dust discharge process, preventing scattering into the surrounding environment. The intermediary structure allows automatic discharge while protecting against harmful dust dispersal.
2Extent of automation
If the entire vacuum cleaner is docked for dust discharge, then dust can be automatically discharged, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dust discharge function is segmented from the main vacuum cleaner body and integrated into the dust collecting container itself. The container becomes an independent unit with its own suction motor and flow path, allowing it to be docked separately without requiring the entire vacuum cleaner to be docked. This segmentation reduces the complexity and space requirements of the docking station.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction motor and flow path components are extracted from the main vacuum cleaner body and relocated to the dust collecting container. This extraction allows the container to function independently for dust discharge purposes, simplifying the docking station design as it only needs to accommodate the container rather than the entire vacuum cleaner assembly.
3Productivity
If irregular suction airflow is provided during dust discharge, then dust discharge efficiency is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction motor operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously, alternating between operating states that generate irregular suction airflow patterns. This periodic operation creates varying airflow conditions that enhance dust discharge efficiency by preventing dust settlement and maintaining flow dynamics, while the simple on/off control mechanism avoids complex control systems.
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 solution effectively reduces dust scattering by automatically discharging dust from the vacuum cleaner's container, improving cleaning efficiency and minimizing dust dispersal in the environment.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device that supplies a suction airflow to the dust collecting container when the dust collecting container is connected to the docking station so that foreign substances in the dust collecting container are discharged into the docking station
Data Source
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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.