Floor Cleaning Device Battery Cooling Using Liquid Container Heat Sink

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning devices face issues with excessive heating of energy storage units, particularly rechargeable batteries, leading to undesirably high operating temperatures and prolonged cooling times, which hinder efficient recharging.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a cooling device thermally connected to the energy storage device, such as a passive cooling element or heat sink, to directly dissipate heat to a liquid container filled with coolant, allowing for efficient heat transfer and reduced operating temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the energy storage device operates continuously, then productivity is improved, but the operating temperature increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidoperating temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cooling device as an intermediary component between the energy storage device and the environment. This cooling device actively manages heat transfer, allowing continuous operation while preventing excessive temperature buildup. The cooling device acts as a mediator that enables productivity improvement without the harmful side effect of overheating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the energy storage device is cooled passively, then device complexity is reduced, but cooling efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling system complexityVSAvoidcooling effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling device is designed to operate autonomously without requiring external control systems or additional energy input. It utilizes natural convection and thermal conduction principles to self-regulate the cooling process. This self-service approach maintains simplicity while achieving reliable cooling through passive thermal management mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If air cooling is used for the energy storage device, then ease of manufacture is improved, but cooling efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling system fabricationVSAvoidcooling rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from air cooling to liquid cooling by introducing a cooling device that circulates coolant through thermal contact with the energy storage device. Liquid coolant provides superior heat capacity and thermal conductivity compared to air, dramatically improving cooling efficiency while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized liquid cooling components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

4Temperature

If the energy storage device heats up, then operating temperature increases, but recharging time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating temperatureVSAvoidcooling time before recharging
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling device operates continuously during the energy storage device's operation, performing preliminary cooling action before recharging is needed. This prevents temperature buildup that would otherwise require extended cooling periods before recharging can begin, thereby eliminating idle time loss and enabling seamless operation-recharging cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach significantly shortens cooling times before recharging, minimizes battery aging, and eliminates the need for air cooling, while maintaining optimal operating conditions for the energy storage device.

Implementation Method 1

at least one cooling device (46) arranged or formed in a thermally connected manner with the at least one energy storage device (44) for cooling the at least one energy storage device (44)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

transfer heat generated in the at least one energy storage device during operation of the cleaning device to the at least one liquid container (38), and especially to the liquid (42) contained therein

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4691334A1Cleaning device
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP4691334A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4691334A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4691334A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a cleaning device (10), in particular in the form of a floor cleaning device (12), comprising at least one electrical consumer (16, 18, 30), at least one energy storage device (44) for supplying the at least one electrical consumer (16, 18, 30) with electrical energy, and at least one liquid container (38) with a container receiving space (40) for receiving a liquid (42) which can be applied to a surface (28) to be cleaned or received from a surface (28) to be cleaned by the cleaning device (10), wherein the cleaning device (10) comprises at least one cooling device (46) arranged or designed to be thermally connected with the at least one energy storage device (44) for cooling the at least one energy storage device (44).