Electrochromic Dust Container for Hygienic Bagless Vacuums

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bagless vacuum cleaners face the issue of unhygienic appearance due to dust deposits on the inner surfaces of the dust container, which cannot be non-transparent as it hinders visual monitoring of the filling level.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a chromogenic material, specifically electrochromic material, into the dust container that allows for controlled transparency, enabling the user to visually check the filling level while maintaining a clean appearance by switching between transparent and non-transparent states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the dust container is made transparent, then the user can visually check the filling level, but the dust deposits on inner surfaces create an unhygienic appearance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of filling levelVSAvoidunhygienic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dust container incorporates electrochromic glass that can dynamically change its optical properties between transparent and opaque states. This allows the container to adapt its transparency based on operational needs, providing visibility when required while maintaining a clean appearance at other times, thus resolving the contradiction between monitoring filling level and preventing unhygienic appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The electrochromic material changes its optical parameters (transparency/opacity) in response to electrical signals. By controlling the electrochromic effect through applied voltage, the dust container can switch between transparent and opaque states, enabling the user to view the filling level when needed while concealing dust deposits during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the dust container is made non-transparent, then the appearance remains clean and hygienic, but the user cannot easily check the filling level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappearance cleanlinessVSAvoidvisibility of filling level

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The dust container uses electrochromic glass that can dynamically switch between opaque and transparent states. During normal operation, the container remains opaque to maintain a clean appearance, but can be switched to transparent state when the user needs to check the filling level, thus resolving the contradiction between appearance cleanliness and visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The electrochromic material's optical parameters are changed through electrical control, allowing the dust container to transition from an opaque state (maintaining appearance cleanliness) to a transparent state (enabling filling level checking) as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If illumination means is added to illuminate the interior, then the filling level can be monitored, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of filling levelVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding separate illumination means and control systems, the patent extracts and utilizes the inherent electro-optical properties of electrochromic glass. The material itself provides the functionality of both visibility control and appearance management, eliminating the need for additional illumination components and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrochromic glass serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the container material, provides dynamic transparency control, enables filling level visibility when needed, and conceals dust deposits. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate illumination and control systems, reducing device complexity while achieving the desired visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 electrochromic material ensures the dust container remains hygienic by concealing dust deposits when not in use while allowing users to monitor the filling level as needed, enhancing the overall appearance and usability of the vacuum cleaner.

Implementation Method 1

dust container (12) which is completely or partially made from a chromogenic material or is coated with such a material, so that it is controllable in its transparency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Data Source

PatentUS8991002B2Bagless vacuum cleaner with a dust collector

Publication Date: 2015.03.31 MIELE & CO KG

AI summary

A bagless vacuum cleaner includes a dust container including a chromogenic material so as to have a controllable transparency.