Docking station for robotic cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Robotic vacuum cleaners require frequent emptying of dust cups, reducing user convenience due to limited debris storage capacity, and pose sanitation issues during disposal.

Innovation Solution

A docking station with a filter medium that collects debris from the dust cup, forms a closed bag when full, and deposits it into a collection bin, allowing for multiple cleaning cycles before disposal and enhancing sanitation through bagged debris storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a robotic vacuum cleaner uses a dust cup for debris collection, then the cleaning operation can be performed autonomously, but the user must frequently empty the dust cup due to limited storage capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous cleaning operationVSAvoidfrequency of debris disposal

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the debris storage function into two segments: a small dust cup on the robotic vacuum for autonomous collection, and a large collection bin at the docking station for accumulated storage. This segmentation allows the vacuum to operate autonomously with minimal user intervention while providing extensive total storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The docking station acts as an intermediary between the robotic vacuum and the user. It automatically receives the vacuum, transfers debris from the dust cup to the collection bin, and manages bag replacement, thereby mediating the debris disposal process and reducing direct user involvement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If debris is stored in an open dust cup, then the structure remains simple, but sanitation issues arise during disposal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris storage structureVSAvoidsanitation issues

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses flexible plastic bags to enclose debris within the collection bin. These thin film barriers contain odors and prevent direct contact with debris, solving sanitation issues while maintaining relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs disposable plastic bags that are replaced periodically. This approach provides effective sanitation containment at low cost, where the inexpensive disposable bags handle the hygiene function without requiring complex reusable mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 docking station reduces the frequency of debris disposal for robotic vacuum cleaners and improves sanitation by enclosing debris in individual bags, enabling more efficient and hygienic emptying of the collection bin.

Implementation Method 1

The suction motor may be configured to suction debris from the dust cup

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

The filter system may include a filter medium to collect debris suctioned from the dust cup

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11234572B2Docking station for robotic cleaner

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC

AI summary

A docking station for a robotic vacuum cleaner may include a suction motor, a collection bin, and a filter system fluidly coupled to the suction motor. The suction motor may be configured to suction debris from a dust cup of the robotic vacuum cleaner. The filter system may include a filter medium to collect debris suctioned from the dust cup, a compactor configured to urge a first portion of the filter medium towards a second portion of the filter medium such that a closed bag can be formed, and a conveyor configured to urge the closed bag into the collection bin.