Modular Vacuum Cleaner Base Station With Detachable Adapter Interfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing base stations for cleaning and emptying vacuum cleaner dust chambers are limited to single vacuum cleaner use, requiring multiple stations for different types of vacuum cleaners, which increases space and cost for users.
Innovation Solution
A modular base station with detachable adapter modules allows connection of multiple vacuum cleaners, using a selector switch to choose the blower for each, enabling efficient cleaning and emptying of various vacuum cleaners with a single unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a base station is designed for a single vacuum cleaner, then the structure is simple and cost is low, but it cannot clean multiple vacuum cleaners and requires multiple stations
Solution Approach 1:
The base station is divided into a main body and detachable adapter modules. Each adapter module is designed for a specific vacuum cleaner type, while the main body contains common components like the dust chamber and control unit. This segmentation allows users to attach different adapters for different vacuum cleaners without changing the entire base station structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station main body is designed with universal functionality to support multiple vacuum cleaner types through different adapters. The control unit, dust chamber, and power supply are shared across all vacuum cleaner connections, making the base station multi-functional while maintaining a simple core structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple base stations are purchased for different vacuum cleaner types, then each vacuum cleaner has dedicated support, but space requirements and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple vacuum cleaner connection capabilities are merged into a single base station through the use of interchangeable adapter modules. Instead of requiring separate base stations for different vacuum cleaner types, the system combines multiple functions in one unit by allowing users to swap adapters based on which vacuum cleaner needs cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station configuration is made dynamic through detachable adapter modules that can be added or removed based on user needs. This dynamic structure allows the base station to adapt to different vacuum cleaner types without permanently expanding its physical footprint, as adapters are compact and stored when not in use.
3Ease of operation
If adapter modules are made detachable, then flexibility and space efficiency improve, but connection reliability and sealing may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connection and sealing mechanisms are extracted as separate, specialized components within the adapter modules. Each adapter contains integrated sealing elements and connection features that are specifically designed for its intended vacuum cleaner type, allowing reliable airtight connections while maintaining detachability for ease of operation.
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 modular design allows users to clean and empty multiple vacuum cleaners with a single base station, reducing space and cost by allowing adapter modules to be added as needed, and automatically selecting the most powerful blower for each connected vacuum cleaner.
Implementation Method 1
the suction airflow of the blower can be redirected via the base dust chamber into the vacuum cleaner dust chamber, so that by means of the negative pressure thereby created in the base dust chamber the vacuumed material from the vacuum cleaner dust chamber can be sucked into the base dust chamber
Implementation Method 2
the vacuumed material from the vacuum cleaner dust chamber can be sucked into the base dust chamber
Implementation Method 3
the air from the vacuum cleaner being cleaned flows either to the blower of that vacuum cleaner or to the blower of another vacuum cleaner
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates initially to a base station (1) for cleaning and/or emptying a dust chamber of a first vacuum cleaner (3), which base station (1) has a base dust chamber, a first air inlet (7) connected to the base dust chamber, and a first air outlet (8) connected to the base dust chamber, wherein the air inlet (7) and the air outlet (8) are connectable to an air duct of the first vacuum cleaner (3), so that material contained in the dust chamber of the first vacuum cleaner (3) can be conveyed into the base dust chamber by means of a blower, in particular a blower of the first vacuum cleaner (3). In order to create a base station (1) to which several vacuum cleaners (3, 4) can be connected simultaneously, the invention further relates to the base station (1) being designed to allow the connection of the base dust chamber to the base dust chamber.To enable the connection of different types of vacuum cleaners (3, 4), it is proposed that the base station (1) have at least one interface (13) for detachable connection with an adapter module (16), which interface (13) has a lockable second air inlet in communication with the base dust chamber, through which, when the adapter module (16) is connected to a second vacuum cleaner (4), the vacuumed material contained in a dust chamber of the second vacuum cleaner (4) can be conveyed into the base dust chamber. The invention further relates to an adapter module (16) for detachable connection with a vacuum cleaner (3, 4) and a base station (1), as well as a method for cleaning and/or emptying a dust chamber.