Base station for a vacuum cleaner
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 is inefficient and costly for users.
Innovation Solution
A modular base station with interchangeable adapter modules and a selector switch to accommodate multiple vacuum cleaners, allowing users to connect and clean various types of vacuum cleaners with a single base station, reducing the need for multiple units and minimizing unnecessary features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a base station is designed for a single vacuum cleaner type, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing costs are lower, but the adaptability to different vacuum cleaner types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The base station is divided into a permanent base unit and interchangeable adapter modules. Each adapter module is designed for a specific vacuum cleaner type, allowing the system to adapt to different cleaners without increasing the complexity of the main base station. The adapter modules can be connected or disconnected as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple vacuum cleaner types through different adapter modules. The selector switch enables the base station to universally support various cleaner configurations, making one base station serve multiple functions for different vacuum cleaner models.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple base stations are provided for different vacuum cleaner types, then the adaptability is improved, but the loss of time and space for installation and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple adapter modules for different vacuum cleaner types are merged into a single base station system. Users only need one base station location and one maintenance routine, as all adapter modules can be serviced together with the base unit, eliminating the need to manage multiple separate base stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station configuration is made dynamic through the selector switch, which allows users to quickly change between different adapter module configurations. This dynamic switching capability enables rapid adaptation to different vacuum cleaner types without time-consuming reinstallation or reconfiguration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a base station includes all possible interfaces for different vacuum cleaner types, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of manufacturing one complex base station with all interfaces built-in, the system segments the interfaces into separate, interchangeable adapter modules. This allows manufacturers to produce simpler base units and specialized adapters separately, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining full adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Specific interfaces for different vacuum cleaner types are extracted from the main base station and placed into separate adapter modules. Users only pay for and install the adapter modules they need for their specific vacuum cleaner types, eliminating the cost of unnecessary interfaces.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective cleaning of multiple vacuum cleaners with a single base station, allowing users to customize the system according to their needs without unnecessary features or equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The blower of the base station or the vacuum cleaner being cleaned can be connected to the base dust chamber to draw the dirt from the dust compartment
Implementation Method 2
The suction airflow of the blower can be redirected into the dust compartment via the base dust chamber, so that the resulting negative pressure in the base dust chamber draws the collected material from the dust compartment into the base dust chamber
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a base station (1) for cleaning and/or emptying a vacuum cleaner dust chamber (5) of a first vacuum cleaner (3), which base station (1) comprises a blower, a base dust chamber (2), a first air inlet (7) in flow communication with the base dust chamber (2), and a first air outlet (8) in flow communication with the base dust chamber (2), wherein the air inlet (7) is connectable to an air duct (9) of the first vacuum cleaner (3), so that material (15) contained in the vacuum cleaner dust chamber (5) of the first vacuum cleaner (3) can be conveyed into the base dust chamber (2) by means of the blower. In order to create a base station (1) to which several vacuum cleaners (3, 4) can be connected simultaneously, the invention further requires the following features:Since different types of vacuum cleaners (3, 4) can be connected, it is proposed that the base station (1) additionally has at least one interface (13) which interface (13) has a lockable second air inlet (12) in flow connection with the base dust chamber (2), through which suction material (15) contained in a vacuum cleaner dust chamber (6) of a second vacuum cleaner (4) can be conveyed into the base dust chamber (2).