Soil treatment system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor treatment systems face issues with operational reliability due to liquid supply and pressure management, which can lead to stagnation, backflow, and contamination risks when docking for refilling.

Innovation Solution

A floor treatment system with a mobile device and docking station featuring an opening device that allows the container wall section to move into an open position for venting and overflow, preventing pressure buildup and contamination by releasing excess liquid and ensuring the supply line is protected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the container is sealed during liquid supply, then contamination is prevented, but pressure buildup and liquid stagnation occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidliquid stagnation and backflow
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The container wall is segmented into movable sections that can open independently during docking. This allows the container to maintain its sealed structure during normal operation while creating controlled openings during refilling to prevent pressure buildup and liquid stagnation, thus resolving the contradiction between contamination prevention and pressure management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The container wall sections are designed to be dynamically movable between closed and open positions. During docking, the sections automatically open to allow air circulation and prevent pressure buildup, then close during normal operation to prevent contamination. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by adapting the sealing state to operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the container is opened to vent pressure, then liquid stagnation is prevented, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidcontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The docking station acts as an intermediary structure that provides a controlled environment for opening the container. When the container wall sections open during docking, the docking station's housing and supply line configuration create a protected pathway that prevents contamination while allowing necessary venting and liquid flow, thus resolving the contradiction between pressure management and contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The container wall sections are pre-configured to open automatically upon docking. This preliminary action ensures that pressure equalization and liquid flow paths are established before liquid supply begins, preventing both pressure buildup and contamination by preparing the system in advance for the refilling operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of substance

If the container opening is covered during operation, then liquid loss is prevented, but pressure buildup occurs during refilling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid loss preventionVSAvoidpressure buildup
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The container wall sections dynamically transition between closed and open states based on operational phase. During normal operation, they remain closed to prevent liquid loss. During docking and refilling, they automatically open to allow pressure equalization and liquid flow, thus resolving the contradiction between liquid loss prevention and pressure management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wall sections are pre-programmed to open before liquid supply begins during docking. This preliminary opening action ensures that pressure buildup is prevented before it can occur, while the sections close automatically after refilling to prevent liquid loss, thus resolving the contradiction through timely state transitions.

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

Enhances operational reliability by preventing liquid stagnation and backflow, protecting the supply line from contamination, and ensuring safe and efficient refilling of the liquid container.

Implementation Method 1

an opening device (48) is provided, by means of which a wall section (102, 104) of the container wall (78, 90) can be moved into an open position in order to release at least one container opening (82, 94)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical movement: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

This makes it possible, for example, to vent the interior of the container when the liquid is supplied. If the level of the liquid in the interior of the container rises too much

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure equalization: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

If the level of the liquid in the interior of the container rises too much, it can also be provided that liquid can escape from the interior of the container through the container opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3451887B1Soil treatment system
Publication Date: 2022.06.01 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP3451887B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3451887B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3451887B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a floor treatment system, comprising a mobile floor treatment device (14) and a docking station (12) for said device, wherein the floor treatment device (14) has at least one liquid container (66, 70) with a container wall (78, 90) and a container interior (80, 92), the docking station (12) comprises at least one feed line (18), via which a liquid can be fed to the container interior (80, 92) when the floor treatment device (14) is in the docked position at the docking station (12), the floor treatment system (10) comprises an opening means (48), via which a wall section (102, 104) of the container wall (78, 90) can be moved into an open position to expose at least one container opening (82, 94) of the at least one liquid container (66, 70), via which container opening (82, 94) the liquid can exit the container interior (80, 92) when the floor treatment device (14) is in the docked position, and wherein the wall section (102, 104) can be transferred into the open position by means of the opening means (48) by moving the floor treatment device (14) from a non-docked position to the docked position.