Floor treatment system and method for operating such
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor treatment systems, such as cleaning robots and base stations, face complexity and reliability issues due to the risk of electrical short circuits and malfunctions during consumable component supply, particularly when providing electrical energy and cleaning liquids.
Innovation Solution
A floor treatment system with a mobile floor treatment device and docking station that couples control lines for actuator control, eliminates the need for a control device in the docking station, using a detection device to ensure proper docking and actuator activation, and incorporates an onboard energy storage device for independent power supply, reducing the risk of malfunctions and enhancing operational safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a control device is provided in the docking station to control actuators for supplying consumable components, then the docking station can autonomously manage the supply process, but the device complexity and risk of malfunction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is extracted from the docking station and relocated to the floor treatment device. The docking station only provides power supply and consumable components, while the floor treatment device's control device manages the entire supply process by detecting docking status and controlling actuators remotely. This reduces the docking station's complexity while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor treatment device autonomously detects its own docking status and controls the supply of consumable components without requiring a control device in the docking station. The system serves itself by using the floor treatment device's existing control capabilities to manage the supply process.
2Use of energy by moving object
If exposed electrical contact elements are provided in the docking station for power supply, then electrical energy can be supplied to the floor treatment device, but the risk of electrical short circuits and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device detects the docking status before enabling power supply to the actuators. The system performs preliminary detection of the docking condition and only then activates the power supply and filling operations, preventing premature electrical contact that could cause short circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device continuously monitors the docking status through detection devices and uses this feedback to control the power supply and actuator operation. This closed-loop control ensures that electrical energy is supplied only when the floor treatment device is properly docked, eliminating the risk of short circuits from improper contact.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a floor treatment system (10), comprising a mobile floor treatment device (12) and a docking station (14) therefor, wherein the floor treatment device (12) comprises a control apparatus (50), at least one control line (68) coupled to the control apparatus, and an electrical energy storage apparatus (60) for supplying energy to the floor treatment device (12) and the docking station (14) comprises at least one actuator (100, 120, 122, 124) and at least one control line (126) coupled to the at least one actuator; wherein the control lines (68, 126) are coupled to each other with contact by means of control line connection elements (70, 138) in an docking position of the floor treatment device (12) on the docking station (14), wherein the floor treatment system (10; 170; 200) comprises a detection apparatus (152) for determining whether the floor treatment device (12) assumes the docking position, and wherein, in the case of a positive determination, at least one of the actuators (100, 120, 122, 124) can be actuated or controlled by the control apparatus (50) by means of the control lines (68, 138). The invention further relates to a method for operating such a floor treatment system.