Dual-Groove Cleaner Docking Structure for Stable Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaner support devices lack stability and ease of use, as they often fail to securely hold the cleaner during charging and can be difficult to separate without risking battery detachment or requiring complex manipulation.

Innovation Solution

A support device with adjustable length extension tubes and a charging stand featuring spaced fixing parts with grooves to securely hold the cleaner, preventing separation during use and allowing easy detachment, while also accommodating an auxiliary battery for extended operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple protruding support piece is used to hold the cleaner, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability of the cleaner is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidcleaner stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support device is divided into multiple functional components: a holder body for basic support, multiple fixing parts with fixing grooves for secure attachment, and a telescopic extension tube for height adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The telescopic extension tube provides dynamic height adjustment capability, allowing the support device to adapt to different cleaner sizes and user needs. This dynamic feature enhances versatility without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple fixing parts with grooves are added to securely hold the cleaner, then the cleaner stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaner stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing mechanism is segmented into multiple independent fixing parts distributed on the holder body. Each fixing part has a fixing groove that independently engages with the cleaner, providing stable support while keeping each individual component relatively simple in structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of stationary object

If the extension tube length is reduced for compact storage, then the space requirement is reduced, but the ease of operation for cleaning narrow parts is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidcleaning accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The telescopic extension tube can be dynamically adjusted between a retracted position for compact storage and an extended position for reaching narrow areas. This dynamic capability allows the device to optimize both storage efficiency and cleaning accessibility as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The telescopic extension tube uses a nested structure where inner tubes are housed within outer tubes when retracted, minimizing the storage footprint while maintaining the capability to extend to full length when needed for cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Ease of operation

If the cleaner is easily separated from the holder, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of preventing battery detachment is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation easeVSAvoidbattery attachment reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The separation function is segmented from the basic holding function. The holder body provides secure attachment through multiple fixing parts, while the telescopic extension tube can be independently adjusted or removed. This segmentation allows easy separation of the extension tube without affecting the secure attachment of the cleaner body to the holder.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3936022B1Cleaner unit with cleaner and support device
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3936022B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3936022B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3936022B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cleaner unit comprising: a cleaner which comprises a cleaner body including a battery housing configured to receive a battery, and an extension tube having an end to which the nozzle is coupled, being adjustable in length and connected to the cleaner body; and a support device supporting the cleaner in a state in which the extension tube extends in a vertical direction. The support body comprises a first fixing part and a second fixing part disposed to be spaced apart from the first fixing part. The first fixing part includes a first fixing groove and the second fixing part includes a second fixing groove. The battery housing of the cleaner body includes fixing protrusions formed on both sides thereof, the fixing protrusions being accommodated in the first and second fixing grooves, and the support body and the battery housing are arranged such that the battery housing is disposed between the first fixing part and the second fixing part in a state in which the fixing protrusions is received in the first and second side fixing grooves.