Electrical device as system component for controlling a vacuum cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical devices for systems comprising machine tools and vacuum cleaners lack a simple and efficient method for establishing and terminating wireless control connections, leading to complex operation and potential unnecessary operation of vacuum cleaners.

Innovation Solution

The electrical device includes a communication interface for wireless control connections and uses registration messages or shutdown signals to manage the control connection between the machine tool and vacuum cleaner, allowing for easy attachment and detachment, with sensors detecting the operating state to automate the connection and disconnection processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual control connection establishment is used, then operational simplicity is improved, but automation and efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidautomation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical device automatically detects connection state changes through sensors and autonomously establishes or terminates control connections without requiring user intervention. The system self-manages the registration messages and shutdown signals, making the device serve itself in managing control connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses sensors to detect connection states and provides feedback to the control logic, which then automatically adjusts the control connection status. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic response to connection changes while maintaining operational simplicity for the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Extent of automation

If automatic connection management is implemented, then automation and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveautomationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control connection management functions are merged with the existing connection detection and sensor systems. The same hardware infrastructure that detects physical connections is also used to trigger control connection management, reducing the need for separate complex subsystems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication interface and control logic are designed to handle multiple functions: detecting connection states, establishing control connections, sending registration messages, and terminating connections. This multi-functional design reduces overall system complexity by consolidating responsibilities into existing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Duration of action of moving object

If control connection is maintained during detachment, then operational continuity is improved, but energy waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational continuityVSAvoidenergy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control connection status dynamically changes based on real-time detection of physical connection states. When detachment is detected through sensors, the system automatically terminates the control connection, adjusting the operational state to match the physical state and prevent energy waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system sends shutdown signals as a preliminary action when detachment is detected, proactively terminating the control connection before any potential energy waste can occur. This ensures that the vacuum cleaner stops receiving control signals and conserves energy immediately upon detachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3901933A1Electrical device as system component for controlling a vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 FESTOOL GMBH
  • EP3901933A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3901933A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3901933A1 patent drawingFigure 4~15

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrical device as a first or second system component (11, 12) for a system (10), which comprises as a first system component (11) a machine tool (20) or a vacuum cleaner (70, 870) and as a second system component an electrical energy storage module (40) for providing electrical energy to the first system component (11), wherein the system components (11, 12) have compatible device interfaces for detachable attachment to one another and for the transmission of electrical energy from the energy storage module (40) to the machine tool (20) or the vacuum cleaner (70, 870), wherein the electrical device has a communication interface for a wireless control connection (S1, S2) to or from a vacuum cleaner (70, 870) for controlling the vacuum cleaner (70, 870).which is intended for the extraction of dust generated by the machine tool (20) and either forms one of the two system components or is a vacuum cleaner (70, 870) separate from the system components (11, 12), wherein the device interfaces are electrically and/or mechanically separated from each other in a separation state and are electrically and/or mechanically connected to each other in an operating state. The electrical device is configured, upon transition from the separation state to the operating state, to send or receive at least one registration message (440) for establishing the control connection (S1, S2) and/or, upon transition from the operating state to the separation state, to terminate the control connection (S1, S2) and/or to send a shutdown signal for a suction unit (75) of the vacuum cleaner (70, 870).