Floor treatment system and method for operating such a system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor treatment systems, such as cleaning robots and their docking stations, face complexity and safety issues due to the risk of electrical short circuits and malfunctions during consumable component supply, particularly when dealing with electrical energy and liquid filling.
Innovation Solution
A floor treatment system with a mobile apparatus and docking station that uses contact-based control line connections and a detection device to ensure safe and reliable actuation of actuators, eliminating the need for a separate control device in the docking station and providing a low-complexity, high-safety operation by using an on-board energy storage device for powering actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless signals and optical transmission are used for control and detection, then the system achieves contactless operation and reduced mechanical wear, but the device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex wireless communication systems and optical transmission systems with simple contact-based electrical connections. The control lines establish direct electrical contact between the docking station and floor treatment apparatus, eliminating the need for wireless transmitters, receivers, and optical sensors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable control and detection functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the complex control device from the docking station, retaining only the essential actuator functions. By eliminating the need for sophisticated control electronics in the base station and using simple contact-based actuation, the system achieves operational safety without excessive complexity
2Use of energy by moving object
If exposed electrical contact elements are provided on the base station for energy supply, then efficient power transfer is achieved, but the risk of electrical short circuit and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the exposed electrical contact elements from the base station by eliminating the need for a stationary energy supply system. The floor treatment apparatus carries its own energy storage device, extracting the hazardous electrical contacts from the base station environment while maintaining efficient energy transfer through contact-based charging connections
Solution Approach 2:
The floor treatment apparatus serves itself by carrying an onboard energy storage device that can be recharged at the docking station. This self-service approach eliminates the need for the base station to provide continuous exposed electrical contacts, reducing short circuit risk while maintaining energy supply efficiency through periodic recharging
3Ease of operation
If a control device is provided in the docking station for actuating components, then precise control of consumable supply is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control device from the docking station, removing complex control electronics while retaining essential actuator functions. The docking station provides simple contact-based actuation for consumable supply without requiring sophisticated control systems, achieving ease of operation through simplified contact mechanisms rather than complex control logic
Solution Approach 2:
The floor treatment apparatus autonomously manages its own consumable supply needs by detecting when it requires refilling or recharging and positioning itself accordingly at the docking station. This self-service capability eliminates the need for a control device in the docking station, as the apparatus independently manages its own supply requirements
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a floor treatment system, comprising a mobile floor treatment apparatus and a docking station therefor, wherein the floor treatment apparatus comprises a control device, at least one control line coupled thereto, and an electrical energy storage device for supplying energy to the floor treatment apparatus, and the docking station comprises at least one actuator and at least one control line coupled thereto; wherein, when the floor treatment apparatus is in a docked position on the docking station, the control lines are coupled to one another in contact-based manner by way of control line connection elements, wherein the floor treatment system comprises a detection device for determining whether the floor treatment apparatus is in the docked position, and wherein, if this is determined positively, at least one of the actuators of the control device is actuatable or controllable by way of the control lines. The present invention further relates to a method for operating such a floor treatment system.