Removable Dirt Container Layout for Serviceable Floor Cleaners

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor cleaning devices are not service-friendly, making maintenance and repair difficult, especially for users who are not technical professionals, as components like the suction unit and functional devices are not easily accessible without tools and proper training.

Innovation Solution

The suction unit is positioned on the upper side of the housing with a cover that can be releasably connected, allowing it to be detached for easy access after removing the dirt container, enabling users to inspect and replace functional devices like the liquid pump and electrical components without specialized tools, and facilitating maintenance and repair.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the suction unit is integrated into the housing with a fixed structure, then the device structure is compact and simple, but the suction unit and functional devices are not easily accessible for maintenance and repair

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility of suction unit and functional devicesVSAvoidStructure of housing and suction unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into separate sections: a dirt container receptacle and a suction unit cover. The suction unit is positioned in a receiving space that is accessible by removing the dirt container and opening the cover, creating segmented access zones that allow maintenance without disassembling the entire device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suction unit is extracted from the main housing body and placed in a separate receiving space that can be accessed independently. This extraction allows the suction unit to be removed and serviced separately from other functional devices, improving accessibility while maintaining overall device integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the dirt container is permanently fixed in the housing, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the dirt container cannot be easily removed for emptying and the functional devices remain inaccessible

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRemovability of dirt containerVSAvoidStructural integrity of housing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The dirt container is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities - it can be securely held in the receptacle during operation but easily removed when needed. The receptacle structure allows for both stable integration and simple removal, enabling users to access functional devices by removing the container without requiring tools or complex disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If electrical components are fully exposed for easy access, then maintenance is simplified, but safety risks increase due to accidental contact with electrical voltage

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility of functional devicesVSAvoidElectrical safety hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different access levels are provided for different functional devices based on their safety requirements. Electrical components are accessible through a covered opening that allows service technicians to reach them while maintaining protective coverage, whereas non-electrical components like the liquid pump are fully accessible. This local differentiation of access quality balances safety with maintainability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2240062B1Floor cleaning appliance
Publication Date: 2013.09.11 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP2240062B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2240062B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2240062B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a floor cleaning appliance having a housing, on the underside of which is arranged at least one drivable cleaning tool for removing dirt from a surface to be cleaned, and a vacuum unit for vacuuming off the dirt and a dirt container for accommodating the vacuumed dirt. The aim of the invention is to increase the ease of maintenance of such an appliance. The appliance according to the invention is characterized in that the housing has a dirt container holder in which the dirt container can be detachably positioned, and additionally at least one functional unit holder for at least one functional unit, the at least one functional unit or a cover of the at least one functional unit being freely accessible once the dirt container is removed from the dirt container holder.